Mark Stephens Music

- Los Angeles, CA Jazz / Pop/R&B / Arranger/Composer

About

Members: Mark Stephens

Label: Groove Junkie Records

Bio: Mark Ellis Stephens was born in the seaside community of Carmel, California and grew up in the neighboring Monterey Peninsula. It was in church where Mark started playing piano, his first of many instruments while in school. Initially playing by ear then taking private lessons, Mark got the best ... See Full Bio

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Status

5 days till the Release of "The Dream Of The Peaceful Warrior"

Press

“ "I've never heard a CD like this. Ever. Not from an "established" artist, not from a "new" artist. Period. The concept, both spiritually and musically, is fully human and even thoroughly divine. The execution is, well, between Mark Stephens and Michael Brecker you have Take 6 and a host of other heavies. The compositions, the arrangements. All are beautiful. Unpretentious and sublime." Kirk Whalum, saxophonist ”

— Kirk Whalum, what people are saying...

“From the opening piano passages of this album I knew this project was something special…the vocals are superbly arranged and performed. The solos are played with melodic awareness, not just ripping scales up and down to show how fast one can play. In other words the notes mean something and it sounds like they belong where they’re placed. Mark’s production skills are quite evident in this album, real clean… and interesting changes that keeps drawing the listener into the music with something new. Hopefully this album will give Mark the visibility that he so richly deserves. ”

— George Duke 1/28/12

“Mark Stephens - The Dream Of The Peaceful Warrior (2011) This CD by keyboard player Mark Stephens is the best album to come along in recent times, it bristles with energy, enthusiasm and great playing by all involved. I especially enjoyed the sax playing of the late Michael Brecker, who participated on the album, like Marcus Miller, Jonathan Butler, The Andreae Crouch Singers, Chaka Khan and several others. Mind-boggling stuff! ”

— Peter Boehi, Smooth Jazz Vibes

“The Dream Of The Peaceful Warrior with an unbelievable passion. Tightly packed with top notch musicians this album shines with an enormous energy, that I call: "Come on, man. Play it one more time!"”

— Hans-Bernd Hülsmann, Smooth Jazz Buzz Star Portrait

““Mark has played with me on and off since just about the very beginning of my solo career. 17 years now! He's one of those great musicians who can be very supportive of the melody when he's backing you up, but when it's time for him to solo he can take over and shine with his own artistry. Definitely creative, and yes we've written some of my favorite songs together, "All Night Long" and "Butter".” – Boney James”

— by Bonnie Schendell, Smooth Jazz Views

“Mark Stephens is the quintessential musician whose talents as a pianist / keyboardist and arranger / composer continue to carve an exclusive place in the world of music. His eagerly anticipated debut project features some of todays' most exciting Jazz Artists.”

— Smooth Jazz Artist

“Amazing jazz pianist and composer Mark Stephens joined Josh during the Awake tour in 2007.”

— Rene' Davis, The GroBand

“Talking Smooth Jazz welcomes jazz musician/producer/writer/composer Mark Stephens”

— Terri "Jazz Queen" Scott, Talking Smooth Jazz

“BET on Jazz: The Jazz Channel Presents Chaka Khan Featuring "Mark Stephens" ”

— BET on Jazz

“These are all talented, noted musicians on today’s smooth jazz scene with an incredible discography to their credit as well as writing and producing credits. Stephens (keyboards) played with Josh Grobin, Diana Ross, Boney James, and Chaka Khan ”

— Nedra Myricks, Examiner.com

““The Dream of the Peaceful Warrior” has Manifested! Mark Stephens is about to releases his debut album!”

— Hollywood Undaground

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Songs

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Imagine

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to the mountaintop

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Videos

Chaka Khan- Live in 2000 with Vinnie Colaiuta, Melvin Davis, Mark Stephens

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Shows

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2012
Feb 11

Terrace Theater @ Long …
Long Beach, CA, US | 6:00pm
Terrace Theater @ Long Bea...
Long Beach, CA, US
Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:00pm
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with Rob Bacon, Smitty Smith and Omari Williams
2011
Nov 14

Madison Square Garden
New York, NY, US | 8:00pm
Madison Square Garden
New York, NY, US
Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:00pm
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2011
Nov 9

Dunkin' Donuts Center P…
Providence, RI, US | 8:00pm
Dunkin' Donuts Center Provi...
Providence, RI, US
Wed Nov 09, 2011 8:00pm
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2011
Nov 8

Verizon Wireless Arena
Manchester, NH, US | 8:00pm
Verizon Wireless Arena
Manchester, NH, US
Tue Nov 08, 2011 8:00pm
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2011
Nov 4

Nassau Veterans Memoria…
Uniondale, NY, US | 7:00pm
Nassau Veterans Memorial C...
Uniondale, NY, US
Fri Nov 04, 2011 7:00pm
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Comments

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Robert Steven Hunt
Awesome music and songs, you are amazing, what a wonderful gift for arranging you have, awesome! God Bless your great music. Best wishes from England. Rob.
Yucca Rose
Greetings from a Bali beach - dreaming and watching the clouds - thanks for your wonderfully sensitive, yet powerful rendition of "Imagine" - Yuvva