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Mark Turner

In a career that spans two decades and encompasses a broad array of musical ventures, saxophonist Mark Turner has emerged as a towering presence in the jazz community. With a distinctive, personal tone, singular improvisational skills and an innovative, challenging compositional approach, he’s earned a far-reaching reputation as one of jazz’s most original and influential musical forces.

A New York Times profile of Turner titled “The Best Jazz Player You’ve Never Heard” called him “possibly jazz’s premier player,” noting his reputation amongst his peers and his influential stature in the jazz world.

2013 finds Turner entering an exciting new creative phase, with his varied talents showcased on a variety of notable new recording projects. Later this year, he’ll release his sixth album as a leader—his first under his own name in a dozen years. He’s also featured on new or upcoming releases by pianist Stefano Bollani, guitarist Gilad Hekselman, pianist Baptiste Trotignon and the Billy Hart Quartet, of which Turner’s been a member for nearly a decade and with whom he recorded two previous albums. He’s also continuing his work as a member of Fly, a collaborative trio with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard.

Those projects add to an already expansive body of work that encompasses Turner’s own widely acclaimed albums and an assortment of collaborations, along with his prolific work as an in-demand sideman. Turner’s diverse discography includes collaborations with many of jazz’s leading lights, including Kurt Rosenwinkel, Lee Konitz, James Moody, Dave Holland, Joshua Redman, Delfeayo Marsalis, Brad Mehldau, Reid Anderson, Omer Avital, Diego Barber, David Binney, Brian Blade, Seamus Blake, Chris Cheek, George Colligan, Gary Foster, Jon Gordon, Aaron Goldberg, Ethan Iverson, Jonny King, Ryan Kisor, Guillermo Klein, Matthias Lupri, OAM Trio, Mikkel Ploug, Enrico Rava, Jochen Rueckert, Jaleel Shaw, Edward Simon and the SF Jazz Collective.

Born in 1965 in Ohio and raised in Southern California, Turner grew up surrounded by music. “There was always a lot of R&B and jazz and soul and gospel going on in the house all the time,” he recalls. “This was in the early ’70s, when the whole integration and civil rights thing had begun to go mainstream, and my mother and stepfather were in the first wave of young black professionals and intellectuals who moved to upper-middle-class white neighborhoods. They and their friends were always going out to see live jazz. I was intrigued by that, and I was intrigued by the whole history of jazz music and African-American culture, as well as the music itself. And my father, who died when I was one and a half, had played saxophone, so maybe I was looking for a connection with him too.”

After starting out on clarinet in elementary school, Turner gravitated towards saxophone in high school, while also exploring his talent for the visual arts. Although he briefly studied design and illustration at Long Beach State University, his passion for jazz ultimately led him to pursue a career in music. Turner’s meticulous, analytical work ethic led him to study and dissect the work of such saxophone giants as John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, Warne Marsh and Lester Young in the pursuit his own musical voice.

“I really got into it and worked really hard, just trying to figure out who I am,” he says, adding, “That’s how I am with everything. It took a while, and it was kind of an arduous struggle, but it allowed me to figure out what I wanted from music. Even when I was spending my time sounding like other people, I felt like that was part of my path to sounding like myself. The more you spend time with the form and the language, the more your own personality comes out.”

After graduating from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music in 1990, Turner moved to New York, where his rapidly developing talents were quickly recognized. Between 1995 and 2001, he recorded five albums of his own—Yam Yam, Mark Turner, In This World, Ballad Session and Dharma Days—while keeping busy as a sought-after collaborator and sideman.

“It was around 1992 that I began to notice or feel that what I was doing was uniquely mine,” Turner asserts. “It had been two and a half years of struggle, but the summer of 1992 was the period where I was finally able to hear it. Maybe no one else would notice, but that’s where I could see how things were gonna go.”

Despite his growing reputation and influence, Turner intentionally pulled back from working as a leader after 2001′s Dharma Days, focusing much of his energy on parenthood while channeling his creativity into numerous collaborative projects.

“The last record I made was right when our first child was born, and that had a lot to do with me pulling back from being a leader for awhile,” Turner states, explaining, “Being a leader is so intense and you really have to put your whole self into it, and I just felt like I wanted to be there for my kids. When you’re a leader, you’re carrying a lot of weight and responsible for a lot of things that have nothing with music. Being a sideman, you basically just have to worry about being there and doing a good job. But my kids are 10 and 13 now, so it’s a little less demanding and I’ve got more room now to do more things that I feel strongly about.”

Of his forthcoming album, a quartet effort with Avishai Cohen on trumpet, Joe Martin on bass and Marcus Gilmore on drums, Turner notes, “I spent a lot of time on the compositions, which I usually do. The blowing is important, but I don’t think about that when I’m writing. I just write the tune, and then we see if we can improvise on it or not. Some of the new tunes are long and kind of involved, and some of them are kind of my version of being pyrotechnical. I just wanted to explore, and I wanted to be able to go in there with a band that would be flexible and have the craftsmanship and the foundation to play something difficult and still make it sound musical.”

Despite his long-awaited return to recording as a leader, Turner still values his collaborative work and has no plans to cut back on it.

“I would never want to solely be a leader, and if someone handed me the chance to do that, I’d say no,” he says. “I like to interpret other people’s music. I learn from doing that, and it’s a big part of what I’ve become as a musician. In the situations where I’m the leader and writing the music, it’s a combination of everything I’ve heard and everything I’ve done,. The way that I write and the way that I play and the bands that I bring together are all a representation of all of the musical situations that I’ve been in, and I’d never want to give that up.”

With an impressive musical history already under his belt and more on the way, Mark Turner is clearly on the verge of a creative renaissance. As The New York Times noted, “His best work is clearly still ahead of him.” Show less

Mark Turner: Live At The Village Vanguard

Read "Live At The Village Vanguard" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
April 12, 2024

A due anni di distanza dalla pubblicazione di Return from the Stars il pianoless quartet di Mark Turner torna con questo corposo doppio album: oltre due ore di musica che documentano il meglio delle serate al Village Vanguard del 18 e 19 giugno 2022. Musicalmente la distanza che lo separa dal disco ECM, registrato nel novembre 2019, è di cinque anni, ma non ci sono grandi cambiamenti: quel repertorio è ripreso interamente con l'aggiunta di composizioni già ...

Radio & Podcasts

Mark Turner, Henry Hey, Miki Yamanaka, Legraux Tobrogoï, Bobby Kapp & More

by Ludovico Granvassu
November 21, 2023

Mark Turner is here, is there, is everywhere, both on the East Coast where he was once based and on the West Coast where he lives now. And this playlist features some of his recent recordings as leader or sideman. The rest of the playlist features remarkable medium and large size ensembles, and the beautiful album by Henry Hey and his trio of sound-wave pilots.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng ...

Album Review

Miki Yamanaka: Shades of Rainbow

Read "Shades of Rainbow" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
October 12, 2023

Pianist Miki Yamanaka's working trio (Tyrone Allen, bass; Jimmy Macbride, drums) is very good. Add tenor saxophonist Mark Turner, as she does on Shades of Rainbow, and the results are even better. Besides playing nimble and expressive piano, Japanese-born, New York-based Yamanaka composed and arranged every song on Rainbow, her fifth album as leader. For those who may be inclined to peek inside her head, Yamanaka provides a brief rationale for each tune, from “That Ain't Betty" ...

Album Review

Mark Turner Quartet: Live At The Village Vanguard

Read "Live At The Village Vanguard" reviewed by Pat Youngspiel

by Pat Youngspiel
October 5, 2023

Mark Turner's Live At The Village Vanguard follows a year after the saxophonist's critically acclaimed second quartet offering for the ECM label Return From The Stars (2022) and features the same group, containing live cuts of the entirety of that record. The title track “Return From The Stars," “Terminus," “Bridgetown," “Nigeria 2," “Lincoln Heights," “It's Not Alright With Me," “Wasteland" and “Unnacceptable" are taken from the album and given new guises in these vibrant live renditions. Also included are “Brother ...

Radio & Podcasts

All New Music From Mark Turner, Audrey Ochoa, Marc Copland And More

by Bob Osborne
September 14, 2023

On this show we present all new music from Mark Turner, Audrey Ochoa, Marc Copland, Malleus Trio, Irreversible Entanglements, Julián Solarz Grupo, Sean Wolcott, Heikki Ruokangas, Telepathic Band--Daniel Carter, Patrick Holmes, Matthew Putman, Hilliard Greene, Federico Ughi, Stan Sulzmann, Alyssa Giammaria, and Graham Collier. Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Mark Turner “Return From The Stars" from Live at The Village Vanguard (Giant Step Arts) 00:51 Audrey Ochoa “Have A Cry" from The Head of a Mouse (Chronograph Records) 12:27 ...

Album Review

Jochen Rueckert: With Best Intentions

Read "With Best Intentions" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
May 25, 2023

This stellar sixth album from Jochen Rueckert extends on some musical friendships while offering a fresh format and new palette. Having previously delivered his notable Introduction (Lipstick-Jazzline, 1998) some 25 years ago, greased the grooves on an appealing organ trio session with guests, and drawn notice with guitar-driven gusto on several quartet dates, this German-born, New York-based drummer-of-note now shifts focus and finds success with a chordless quintet. After developing a renewed interest in more open-ended ...

Liner Notes

David Binney: Barefooted Town

by Josef Woodard
February 1, 2023

Continuing Saga of the Strong Seeker I remember distinctly during the 2007 Montreal Jazz Festival, sifting through and measuring up the usual blur of stimuli, seeking out the prizes among prizes in the program. In one corner, there was Wayne Shorter, in the finest of his performance I'd ever heard—playing up his suits as composer and soloist by meshing his free-wheeling quartet and the score-heeding Imani Winds. And then, in another corner, as part of the late night haunt of ...

Video / DVD

Mark Turner + Gary Foster

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
June 25, 2019

Seventy years ago, on March 4, 1949, cool jazz was recorded for the first time. Given a mandate to record whatever new jazz was important, Pete Rugolo, Capitol's head of A&R, brought the Lennie Tristano Sextet into the studio to tape two songs—Wow and Crosscurrent. The music by Lee Konitz (as), Warne Marsh (ts), Lennie Tristano (p), Billy Bauer (g), Arnold Fishkin (b) and Harold Granowsky (d) featured the reeds playing bone dry (with zero vibrato), high on the upper ...
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Event

Live recording and concert, May 23-24: Jason Palmer Qt. feat. Mark Turner, Joel Ross, Kendrick Scott, Edward Perez at NYC's InterContinental Barclay

Source: Ludovico Granvassu
May 19, 2019

A one-of-a-kind musical experience, combining the intimacy of a house concert with the luxurious ambience, comfort and breath-taking views of the Harold S. Vanderbilt Penthouse. Limited space available as this is a recording session that aims at providing the intimacy of a house concert, but with world-class musicians. Contact Astrid ([email protected]) to reserve your spot. Concert and live recording on May 23 and 24 debut an all-star quintet led by Jason Palmer featuring Mark Turner, with Joel Ross, Kendrick Scott, ...
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Book / Magazine

Saxophonist Mark Turner Profiled In International Arts Magazine

Source: Taylor Davis-Van Atta
October 17, 2017

The latest issue of Music & Literature showcases and explores the career of American saxophonist Mark Turner. Exclusive tributes and appreciations from over 20 of Turner’s musical collaborators and admirers, including Avishai Cohen, Kurt Rosenwinkel, María Kim Grand, Marcus Gilmore, Gilad Hekselman, Ethan Iverson, Billy Hart, Jorge Rossy, among many others, complement an extensive new retrospective interview with music critic Ben Ratliff. These pieces are accompanied by transcriptions and facsimiles of Turner’s musical notebooks, offering further insight into an artist ...
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Video / DVD

Ben Wendel - The Seasons Project: August with Mark Turner + NPR + Concerts + ACT II

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
September 2, 2015

Dear Friends, Colleagues, Journalists, DJs & PDs, Ben Wendel is incredibly happy to announce the next installment of his video art project, The Seasons. Previous guests on The Seasons include Julian Lage, Shai Maestro, Matt Brewer, Joshua Redman and others. This month features a duet with the great saxophonist and composer, Mark Turner, “someone who has greatly influenced me and countless other musicians", commented Wendel. For those that know Mark's playing, this duet ended up being directly influenced by his ...
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130

Performance / Tour

Mark Turner and Tony Malaby Step in at Village Vanguard

Source: AAJ Staff
August 26, 2010

Joe Lovano, the tenor saxophonist, couldn't make it to the Village Vanguard this week. It was the beginning of an annual two-week stretch with the trio he's played in for 25 years, with the guitarist Bill Frisell and the drummer Paul Motian. But Mr. Lovano double-booked himself, so he had to be in Edinburgh, soloing with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. Two tenors, Tony Malaby and Mark Turner, are filling his spot. Not alternating, but simultaneously. This isn't so much ...
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118

Recording

Buy One CD, Get the Other for Free Feat. Mark Turner, Dave Binney, Michel Godard, Luciano Biondini and Others

Source: Michael Ricci
May 10, 2010

SPECIAL OFFER!

Buy the CD SAMO SALAMON TRIO feat. MICHEL GODARD & ROBERTO DANI: Live! (Samo Records SSCD 04, 2009), which received amazing reviews:

“Samo Salamon has recorded live successfully before, on Ela's Dream (Splasch, 2005) and Kei's Secret (Splasch, 2006). Live! is another worthy addition to a significant body of work, one that can only enhance Salamon's reputation as a distinctive composer and original guitar stylist." ALLABOUTJAZZ (Jakob Baekgaard, December 2009)

“All in all, the disc is an exceptional ...
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270

Recording

New Samo Salamon Albums Featuring Mark Turner and Michel Godard

Source: Michael Ricci
December 13, 2009

The guitarist's Samo Salamon 2008 album Samo Salamon Quartet: Mamasaal feat. Mark Turner is finally available on Emusic and Amazon for downloading...it features a great band with MARK TURNER on tenor saxophone and MATT BREWER on bass: Link to eMusic

There are also samples available on the website of the guitarist - Samo Salamon Website, where you can also request the CD version.

A new album SAMO SALAMON TRIO: Live! featuring the best tuba player around Michel Godard and one ...
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139

Performance / Tour

Kurt Rosenwinkel Group with Mark Turner at Chris' Jazz Cafe on March 8 & 9, 2008

Source: All About Jazz
March 4, 2008

The Kurt Rosenwinkel Group will be performing at Chris' Jazz Cafe on March 8 & 9, 2008. Rosenwinkel's new CD is the two-disc release The Remedy: Live At The Village.

KURT ROSENWINKEL GROUP

Kurt Rosenwinkel - guitar Mark Turner - saxophone Aaron Parks - piano Ben Street - bass Obed Calvaire - drums

March 8 & 9, 2008 Sets @ 8 & 10 PM Chris' Jazz ...
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108

Performance / Tour

Kurt Rosenwinkel Group with Mark Turner at Chris' Jazz Cafe on March 8 & 9, 2008

Source: All About Jazz
February 27, 2008

The Kurt Rosenwinkel Group will be performing at Chris' Jazz Cafe on March 8 & 9, 2008. Rosenwinkel's new CD is the two-disc release The Remedy: Live At The Village.

KURT ROSENWINKEL GROUP

Kurt Rosenwinkel - guitar Mark Turner - saxophone Aaron Parks - piano Ben Street - bass Obed Calvaire - drums

March 8 & 9, 2008 Sets @ 8 & 10 PM
read more

174

Event