Jon Marks
Encyclopedia
Jon Marks was a New Orleans jazz
pianist
.
played the banjo. When he was 14 Dave took Jon to a jazz gig where he snuck in behind the piano and played for the first time in public - he never looked back. Later, Jon was fortunate to work together with Alton Purnell
(Bunk Johnson
and George Lewis
' pianist) and received musical assistance and inspiration from him from 1964 until Purnell's death in 1987 Alton Purnell. Other major influences included pianists Joe Robicheaux, Lester Santiago and James "Sing"Miller. Marks formed a school band at age 12 and at 15 was co-leader of a semi-pro jazz band, the "San Jacinto Jazz Band" in Portsmouth. Jon's first professional band was the "Keith Smith Climax Jazz Band" which facilitated a move back to London in 1964 when he joined them aged 17.
's Band in 1968. He stayed with Martyn until the band's demise in 1973 due to Martyn's migration to the USA. He played with Kid Martyn's Ragtime Band at the first two New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
s in 1968 and 1969 and at Louis Armstrong
's 70th Birthday celebration, "Hello Louis", in 1970 when he was photographed alongside Louis Armstrong
and his enormous birthday cake, and whiskey and bourbon fountains. Marks toured the US annually with Martyn six years running, using New Orleans as the finishing point where he could gain valuable experience at Preservation Hall
and other local venues.
After 1973 he free-lanced working with various units including the White Eagle Band of Berlin with the late clarinetist/saxophonist Peter Müller and trumpeter Raimer Lösch. Marks also played with Kid Thomas
, clarinetist/saxophone player Sammy Rimington
, and the Louis Nelson
Band, among others. Marks made his home-base in Berlin, Germany in the late 1970s from where he produced recordings and played with his own New Orleans Jazz trio. During the 1980s he began touring with Sammy Rimington's Band again and also toured with the White Eagle Band, Berlin, and the Maryland Jazz Band, Cologne. Together with Rimington, in 1983 he toured with Kid Thomas' Algiers Stompers in Europe, the last tour of this legendary band. He also toured with Louis Nelson
's band in Switzerland in 1987. He was an annual guest of the Big Easy Jazz Band in Connecticut during the 1990s, touring and recording in New England and the Tri-State area and appearing at the 1991 Santa Rosa Festival, California. He again appeared at the New Orleans Jazz Festival in 1996 with Sammy Rimington. Jon played regularly at the Ascona New Orleans Jazz Festival in Switzerland
.
, Kid Thomas
, Alvin Alcorn
, Thomas Jefferson, Leo Dejan, Kid Sheik Colar, Louis Nelson
, Preston Jackson
, Clyde Bernhardt
, Paul Barnes, Willie Humphrey
, Emanuel Paul
, Sammy Lee, Orange Kellin, Andrew Morgan
, John Defferary, Sammy Rimington
, Floyn Turnham, Chester Zardis
, Hayes Alvis
, Frank Fields, Benny Booker, Lloyd Lambert, Emanuel Sayles
, Don Vapie, Father Al Lewis, Stanley Williams, Freddie Kohlman
, Louis Barbarin
, Zutty Singleton, Teddy Edwards, Stanley Stevens, Barry Martyn
, Arvell Shaw
and Doc Cheatham.
Apart from the above-mentioned artists Marks toured or played with: Singers Topsy Chapman, Thais Clark, Sylvia "Kumumba" Williams, Jan Harrington, Carrie Smith, Minnie Minepreo; trumpeters Jabbo Smith
, Wingy Manone
, John Brunious
, Wendell Brunious
, Wallace Davenport, Teddy Riley, Andrew Blakeney, Ken Colyer
, Geoff Bull
; Clarinetests and Saxophonists Barney Bigard
, Albert Nicholas
, Benny Carter, Jo "Brother Cornbread" Thomas, Jo Darensbourg, Harald Dejan; Pianists Alton Purnell
, Sweet Emma Barrett,Alex "Duke" Burrell, Don Ewell
, Ralph Sutton, Art Hodes
; Trombonists Trummy Young, Gene Conners
; Bassists Ed "Montudie" Garland
, Adolphus Morris, Rodney Richardson, Bob Culverhouse; Banjoists Nappy Le Marr, Koen De Cauter; Drummer Trevor Richards, amongst many others.
Of Marks' playing, Herb Friedwald wrote in the liner notes to "The Orange Kellin Trio" (GHB Records, BCD-384) "Marks is one of the best and certainly the most forceful of the pianists now playing in this idiom." Just before his death in 2007 Marks was working on a "Gene Krupa
Story" musical with the Berlin-based drummer Arthor Von Blomberg. This musical will be performed in various locations in 2008.
New Orleans Jazz
New Orleans Jazz may refer to:*Dixieland, a style of jazz music*New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park*Utah Jazz, a professional National Basketball Association franchise that was previously based in New Orleans and known as the New Orleans Jazz, in recognition of the jazz music of New Orleans*A...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
.
Early influences
Jon Marks began learning the piano at the age of 7. The lessons discontinued at age 12 when interest in New Orleans Jazz and improvisation occupied his practice time. His brother David Marks (psychologist)David Marks (psychologist)
David F. Marks is a psychologist who is largely concerned with four areas of psychological research - health psychology, cognitive psychology, parapsychology and IQ score variations...
played the banjo. When he was 14 Dave took Jon to a jazz gig where he snuck in behind the piano and played for the first time in public - he never looked back. Later, Jon was fortunate to work together with Alton Purnell
Alton Purnell
Alton Purnell was an American jazz pianist. He was a longtime performer in Dixieland jazz....
(Bunk Johnson
Bunk Johnson
Willie Gary "Bunk" Johnson was a prominent early New Orleans jazz trumpet player in the early years of the 20th century who enjoyed a revived career in the 1940s....
and George Lewis
George Lewis
George Lewis may refer to:*George Lowys or Lewis , mayor of Winchelsea*George Lewis , track and field athlete from Trinidad and Tobago*George Lewis , New Orleans jazz clarinettist...
' pianist) and received musical assistance and inspiration from him from 1964 until Purnell's death in 1987 Alton Purnell. Other major influences included pianists Joe Robicheaux, Lester Santiago and James "Sing"Miller. Marks formed a school band at age 12 and at 15 was co-leader of a semi-pro jazz band, the "San Jacinto Jazz Band" in Portsmouth. Jon's first professional band was the "Keith Smith Climax Jazz Band" which facilitated a move back to London in 1964 when he joined them aged 17.
Tours and festivals
Marks toured Europe and Britain, and recorded with Keith Smith before joining Barry MartynBarry Martyn
Barry Martyn is an English born jazz drummer, active principally on the New Orleans jazz revival circuit....
's Band in 1968. He stayed with Martyn until the band's demise in 1973 due to Martyn's migration to the USA. He played with Kid Martyn's Ragtime Band at the first two New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, often known as Jazz Fest, is an annual celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana...
s in 1968 and 1969 and at Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
's 70th Birthday celebration, "Hello Louis", in 1970 when he was photographed alongside Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
and his enormous birthday cake, and whiskey and bourbon fountains. Marks toured the US annually with Martyn six years running, using New Orleans as the finishing point where he could gain valuable experience at Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall is a noted jazz performance hall located at 726 St. Peter Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. It hosts nightly concerts featuring a rotating roster of bands. The bands of Preservation Hall typically perform jazz in the New Orleans style.Despite the fame of the...
and other local venues.
After 1973 he free-lanced working with various units including the White Eagle Band of Berlin with the late clarinetist/saxophonist Peter Müller and trumpeter Raimer Lösch. Marks also played with Kid Thomas
Kid Thomas Valentine
Thomas Valentine, commonly known as Kid Thomas was a jazz trumpeter and bandleader.Kid Thomas was born in Reserve, Louisiana and came to New Orleans in his youth. He gained a reputation as a hot trumpet man in the early 1920s. Starting in 1926 he led his own band, for decades based in the New...
, clarinetist/saxophone player Sammy Rimington
Sammy Rimington
Samuel 'Sammy' Rimington , is an English jazz reed player. He has been an active New Orleans jazz revivalist since the late 1950s....
, and the Louis Nelson
Louis Nelson
Louis Nelson was a trombonist most associated with the jazz originating in New Orleans near the turn of the twentieth century, sometimes referred to as Dixieland music....
Band, among others. Marks made his home-base in Berlin, Germany in the late 1970s from where he produced recordings and played with his own New Orleans Jazz trio. During the 1980s he began touring with Sammy Rimington's Band again and also toured with the White Eagle Band, Berlin, and the Maryland Jazz Band, Cologne. Together with Rimington, in 1983 he toured with Kid Thomas' Algiers Stompers in Europe, the last tour of this legendary band. He also toured with Louis Nelson
Louis Nelson
Louis Nelson was a trombonist most associated with the jazz originating in New Orleans near the turn of the twentieth century, sometimes referred to as Dixieland music....
's band in Switzerland in 1987. He was an annual guest of the Big Easy Jazz Band in Connecticut during the 1990s, touring and recording in New England and the Tri-State area and appearing at the 1991 Santa Rosa Festival, California. He again appeared at the New Orleans Jazz Festival in 1996 with Sammy Rimington. Jon played regularly at the Ascona New Orleans Jazz Festival in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
Recordings and artists
Artists that Marks recorded with include: Percy HumphreyPercy Humphrey
Percy Gaston Humphrey was a jazz trumpet player and bandleader in New Orleans, Louisiana.In addition to his own jazz band, Percy Humphrey and His Crescent City Joymakers, for more than thirty years he was leader of the Eureka Brass Band. He also played in the band of the pianist Sweet Emma Barrett...
, Kid Thomas
Kid Thomas Valentine
Thomas Valentine, commonly known as Kid Thomas was a jazz trumpeter and bandleader.Kid Thomas was born in Reserve, Louisiana and came to New Orleans in his youth. He gained a reputation as a hot trumpet man in the early 1920s. Starting in 1926 he led his own band, for decades based in the New...
, Alvin Alcorn
Alvin Alcorn
Alvin Alcorn was an American New Orleans jazz trumpeter.Alcorn was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He learned music from his brother, though not much is known about his youth. He played freelance in New Orleans in the late 1920s and early 1930s; he appears with Armand J. Piron's Sunny South...
, Thomas Jefferson, Leo Dejan, Kid Sheik Colar, Louis Nelson
Louis Nelson
Louis Nelson was a trombonist most associated with the jazz originating in New Orleans near the turn of the twentieth century, sometimes referred to as Dixieland music....
, Preston Jackson
Preston Jackson
James Preston McDonald, better known by his stage name Preston Jackson was an American jazz trombonist....
, Clyde Bernhardt
Clyde Bernhardt
Clyde Bernhardt was an American jazz trombonist.Bernhardt was born in North Carolina and raised there and in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania...
, Paul Barnes, Willie Humphrey
Willie Humphrey
Willie James Humphrey was a New Orleans jazz clarinetist. Willie Humphrey was born in a musical family, the son of prominent local clarinetist and music teacher Willie Eli Humphrey; his brothers Earl Humphrey and Percy Humphrey also became well known professional musicians.After establishing...
, Emanuel Paul
Emanuel Paul
Emanuel Paul was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.Paul was one of the very first tenor saxophonists to hold regular work in New Orleans jazz, where his instrument often substituted for the baritone horn in a brass band...
, Sammy Lee, Orange Kellin, Andrew Morgan
Andrew Morgan
Andrew Morgan was an American jazz clarinetist and saxophonist....
, John Defferary, Sammy Rimington
Sammy Rimington
Samuel 'Sammy' Rimington , is an English jazz reed player. He has been an active New Orleans jazz revivalist since the late 1950s....
, Floyn Turnham, Chester Zardis
Chester Zardis
Chester Zardis was an American jazz double-bassist.Zardis played bass from a young age, and studied under Billy Marrero of the Superior Orchestra. In his teens he was involved in a fistfight at a New Orleans theater, which resulted in his being sent to the Jones Waif Home...
, Hayes Alvis
Hayes Alvis
Hayes Alvis was an American jazz bassist and tubist.Born in Chicago on May 1, 1907, Alvis began on drums but switched to tuba and bass after playing with Jelly Roll Morton in 1927-28...
, Frank Fields, Benny Booker, Lloyd Lambert, Emanuel Sayles
Emanuel Sayles
Emanuel Sayles was an American jazz banjoist chiefly active in the New Orleans jazz scene.Sayles played violin and viola as a child, then taught himself banjo and guitar. He went to high school in Pensacola, Florida, then relocated to New Orleans and played with William Ridgely's Tuxedo Orchestra...
, Don Vapie, Father Al Lewis, Stanley Williams, Freddie Kohlman
Freddie Kohlman
Freddie Kohlman was an American jazz drummer, vocalist, and bandleader. He studied under the famed drummer, Louis Cottrell, Sr. and Manuel Manetta....
, Louis Barbarin
Louis Barbarin
Louis Barbarin was a New Orleans jazz drummer. He studied under the famed drummer, Louis Cottrell, Sr.Louis was the younger brother of Paul Barbarin...
, Zutty Singleton, Teddy Edwards, Stanley Stevens, Barry Martyn
Barry Martyn
Barry Martyn is an English born jazz drummer, active principally on the New Orleans jazz revival circuit....
, Arvell Shaw
Arvell Shaw
Arvell Shaw was an American jazz double-bassist, best known for his work with Louis Armstrong....
and Doc Cheatham.
Apart from the above-mentioned artists Marks toured or played with: Singers Topsy Chapman, Thais Clark, Sylvia "Kumumba" Williams, Jan Harrington, Carrie Smith, Minnie Minepreo; trumpeters Jabbo Smith
Jabbo Smith
Jabbo Smith, born as Cladys Smith was a United States jazz musician, known for his hot virtuoso playing on the trumpet....
, Wingy Manone
Wingy Manone
Wingy Manone was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, singer, and bandleader. His major recordings included "Tar Paper Stomp", "Nickel in the Slot", "Downright Disgusted Blues", "There'll Come a Time ", and "Tailgate Ramble".- Biography :Manone was born Joseph Matthews Mannone in New Orleans,...
, John Brunious
John Brunious
John Brunious Jr. was a jazz trumpeter and the bandleader for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.Brunious was the son of John Brunious Sr, a jazz musician in his own right and also his teacher. Brunious's initial inspirations were Dizzy Gillespie and Maynard Ferguson, but he had a continued interest...
, Wendell Brunious
Wendell Brunious
Wendell Brunious is an American jazz trumpeter and bandleader.Brunious's father was John "Picket" Brunious, who was a trumpeter who studied at Juilliard, played with the Onward Brass Band, Young Tuxedo Brass Band, and Paul Barbarin, and arranged for Billy Eckstine and Cab Calloway...
, Wallace Davenport, Teddy Riley, Andrew Blakeney, Ken Colyer
Ken Colyer
Kenneth Colyer was a British jazz trumpeter and cornetist, devoted totally to New Orleans jazz. His band was also known for skiffle interludes.-Biography:...
, Geoff Bull
Geoff Bull
Geoffrey Randolph Bull is an Australian jazz trumpeter and bandleader.Bull played with the Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Band in 1961, then formed his own group, the Olympia Jazz Band, in Sydney; his sidemen included guitar/banjoist Geoff Holden, clarinetist Peter Neubauer, and bassist Dick Edser....
; Clarinetests and Saxophonists Barney Bigard
Barney Bigard
Albany Leon Bigard, aka Barney Bigard, was an American jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophonist, though primarily known for the clarinet....
, Albert Nicholas
Albert Nicholas
Albert Nicholas was an American jazz reed player.Nicholas's primary instrument was the clarinet, which he studied with Lorenzo Tio in his hometown of New Orleans. Late in the 1910s he played with Buddy Petit, King Oliver, and Manuel Perez...
, Benny Carter, Jo "Brother Cornbread" Thomas, Jo Darensbourg, Harald Dejan; Pianists Alton Purnell
Alton Purnell
Alton Purnell was an American jazz pianist. He was a longtime performer in Dixieland jazz....
, Sweet Emma Barrett,Alex "Duke" Burrell, Don Ewell
Don Ewell
Don Ewell was an American jazz stride pianist born in Baltimore, Maryland, perhaps best known for his work with several prominent New Orleans–based musicians such as Sidney Bechet, Kid Ory, George Lewis, George Brunis, Muggsy Spanier and Bunk Johnson.From 1956 to 1962, Ewell was a leading member...
, Ralph Sutton, Art Hodes
Art Hodes
Arthur W. Hodes , known professionally as Art Hodes, was an American jazz pianist.-Biography:...
; Trombonists Trummy Young, Gene Conners
Gene Conners
Gene Conners or Connors was an American trombonist and singer. He was known as "The Mighty Flea"....
; Bassists Ed "Montudie" Garland
Ed Garland
Edward Bertram Garland was a New Orleans jazz string bass player. He was commonly known as "Ed Garland", and sometimes "Montudie Garland" ....
, Adolphus Morris, Rodney Richardson, Bob Culverhouse; Banjoists Nappy Le Marr, Koen De Cauter; Drummer Trevor Richards, amongst many others.
Of Marks' playing, Herb Friedwald wrote in the liner notes to "The Orange Kellin Trio" (GHB Records, BCD-384) "Marks is one of the best and certainly the most forceful of the pianists now playing in this idiom." Just before his death in 2007 Marks was working on a "Gene Krupa
Gene Krupa
Gene Krupa was an American jazz and big band drummer and composer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style.-Biography:...
Story" musical with the Berlin-based drummer Arthor Von Blomberg. This musical will be performed in various locations in 2008.