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Hometown: Long Beach, CA
Website: www.new.facebook.com
Sounds Like: Albert King, The Jimi Hendrix Experience Official Page, Jeff Beck, Outlaw Country & Southern Rock
Genre: Blues
Nicknamed the "The Hurricane" by his former guitar mentor, the legendary Ted Greene, Canadian born guitarist/composer Mark Fitchett is an accomplished artist who’s compositional, and improvisational skills cross multiple musical boundaries. Through original music, as well as his interpretations of jazz, blues, and rock standards, Fitchett’s ferocious approach to his guitar and vocals adds an exciting intensity to his ensemble and solo performances.
Latest Release 2016 "Working Man"
In the world of marketing there never seems to be a lack of superlatives and hyperbole to describe a new artist and their music. We've all heard exaggerated claims and gushing reviews about someone or another "This Next Big Thing is a jaw dropping, unique and original blend of polka, rap, metal and didgeridoo music that is simultaneously innovative, groundbreaking, and awe inspiring!" and then upon first listen you're wtf what am I missing?
Mark Edward Fitchett presents on Working Man an album of 10 basic three (Okay maybe an extra one or two) chord songs that are a little rock/blues and a little country/folk. Simple, melodic and lyrically to the point these songs are "jaw dropping, unique and... "oops never mind they are just good tunes and we hope you enjoy them.
Personnel:
Mark Edward Fitchett: Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Bass, Dobro, Mandolin, Piano, Organ, Percussion
Joe Kennedy: Piano, Organ, Accordion
Lisa Kato-Fitchett: Piano
Donna Butler Blut: Background Vocals
Selwyn Gibson: Background Vocals
In The Beginning
Mark Fitchett’s love for the blues started at his grandparent’s house, where as a toddler when he would sit for hours mesmerized by his grandfather’s boogie woogie piano playing. Then there were the Elvis 45’s from the 50’s, the Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee albums, and other blues, boogie, ragtime and country records that were lying around. When Mark was old enough to use the record player on his own, the first place he would go when visiting would be the living room to explore his grandparent’s record collection.
Originally inspired to play the piano, he learned some boogie from his granddad but his parents were not receptive to the idea of owning a piano. Around the age of nine a cousin brought over a guitar and a life long 6-string love affair began. Although Mark didn’t start any training until four years later, he looked forward to his cousin’s visits, anxiously hoping she would bring the guitar and allow him to hold it and pluck the strings. Meanwhile he was falling in love with the sound of Scotty Moore’s guitar solos on the old Elvis songs and would play air guitar to them.
Influences
As a teen Mark listened to blues influenced bands like the Allman Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Led Zeppelin but it was the electrifying blues playing of Johnny Winter that started the gradual transition of tracing the blues to their original sources. The journey was not without some detours; jazz, rock and even some country, but no matter what the musical tangent, the blues kept calling him back. And today, although considered a modern blues guitarist, his style is firmly rooted in past traditions but fused with his own unique perspectives and influences.
"A ten-piece orchestra located onstage accompanied the work.
It was an apt position for a composition that guided the piece
with captivating and pulsating but lyrical music. The original
score was by Torrance-based composer Mark Fitchett." (Modern dance music composed for Regina Klenjoski's Dance Company
(RKDC) production: "Love Lies Waiting" performed
at the John Anson Ford Ampitheater in Los Angeles)
Lauren M. Dennis - EASY READER
"...an evocative original score by Mark Fitchett." (Modern dance music (listen) composed for
Regina Klenjoski's Dance Company (RKDC)
production: "Original Sin " performed
at the James Armstrong Theater in Torrance.)
Jim Farber - DAILY BREEZE
"...my ears were treated to some amazing guitar wizardry courtesy of
Cult Of The Wrong Note...Mark Fitchett on guitar who could quite possible
launch a space shuttle with his playing."
South Bay Rockers Magazine
“Inhabiting the space between jazz, rock, and blues, Mark’s playing exemplifies the best of each world while emphasizing his own unique approach and personality. Never afraid to take chances and make bold musical statements, Fitchett is a fearless improviser who plays with unadulterated commitment, feeling and passion.”
Random Review Blog
"..this man has an honest and emotional relationship with his instrument.
He mixes jazz, hard rock, metal, and rhythm & blues into a soulful conversation of music."
BAM
"Mark Fitchett's heavily synthesized score boldly underlined the few
moods that prevailed nearly two hours, without intermission, using lots of
reiterated spooky percussion, eerie drawn out notes and some fuzzy rock guitar
riffs for evil atmosphere."
(Modern dance music composed for
Regina Klenjoski's Dance Company (RKDC)
production: "Original Sin " performed
at the James Armstrong Theater in Torrance.)
Jennifer Fisher - Los Angeles Times
"This is an instrumental band that writes strong melodic tunes. A perfect band
for Relativity Records."
Music Connection
"Within the last few years Mark Fitchett has established a reputation as one of
California's premier guitar players, compared to the likes of Jeff Beck and
Joe Satriani."
Daily Breeze
“Re Stephanie James & The Mark Fitchett Band: The odds were stacked the quintet thanks to a set sandwiched between a groove-laden funk group and a singer/songwriter quartet, but the band’s blend of contemporary and Latin jazz – punctuated by a splash of good ol’ fashioned rock ‘n’ roll – managed to get the entire audience to bob its heads and tap its toes in unison. James’ performance was upbeat, peppy, spirited and the good kind of light-hearted while Fitchett ripped his electric nylon six-string like a disciple of Hendrix. The crowd was already on Team James by the time drummer Gregory Scott Alban laid down a minute-long solo that would have made Max Roach smile, but if there were any naysayers who previously doubted that Stephanie James and the Mark Fitchett Band were capable of bringing the goods, they were definitely converted once the 45-minute gig was over. -- Ryan Ritchie
”
Ryan Ritchie - Independant review by LA Weekly writer
"In his playing, Fitchett mixes haunting melodies with technical solos and riffs
to form some of the best music I've heard in quite a while."
Realities
“Fans of Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Joe Satriani, and Steve Morse from the Dixie Dregs, would probably like to check out this band”
Easy Reader
"Fitchett is currently one of LA's most fascinating guitar players."
Moira Valencia - BAM
