Mark Haanstra (1974) started with classical piano at the age of 6. Switched to bass in his teens and soon went to study bass guitar and double bass at the Conservatory of Hilversum. He graduated cum laude in September 1997 with an honorable mention for composition. From 1995 until 1999 he studied with composer Rafael Reina at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. In 2004 he received a scholarship from the Prins Bernhard Cultuur Fonds to study with Rudraveena master Pt. Hindraj Divekar in Pune, India.
He won several prices, including the ‘Dutch Jazz Competition’ with the ‘Nemesis Quartet’ (1994), ‘Geel’ (1998) and ‘Agog’ (2002).
His recognizable sound, groove and flexibility makes him a much sought after musician by many artists, ensembles and orchestra’s in all genres; He has worked with the Asko Schönberg ensemble, The North Netherlands Orchestra (in a program with rock singer Ellen ten Damme) and the Royal Orchestra of the Concertgebouw (with chief conductor Mariss Jansons).
Together with the Amsterdam Percussion Group he toured extensively with world famous drummer Terry Bozzio in 2006 and 2007.
End 2007 composer Giel Vleggaar wrote a piece for solo bass guitar and ensemble especially for him and the Nieuw Ensemble. ‘Atomic UFO saves the day (again)’ got performances in renowned festivals such as November Music and the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.
Through his work with the Catch Electric Guitar Quartet he got in touch with composer/guitarist Steven Mackey who asked him immediately for his progressive rock band Big Farm that got premiered May 2008 in New York.
Other regular activities are the Belgium jazz septet T-unit 7, the alternative pop group Voer, Full Phatom Five… All these influences are coming together in his own groups where he also composes for; With guitarist Frank Wingold and drummer Joost Lijbaart he co-leads Agog and with violinist / composer Oene van Geel he founded his new group Oxymore Quintet (with Harmen Fraanje, Guillaume Orti and Chander Sardjoe).
The last years he has toured in the USA, South America, the Baltic’s, North Africa, India and all over Europe. Mark can be heard on over 30 CD's.
Since 2004 he teaches bass guitar and ensemble at the Prins Claus Conservatory in Groningen.
more info at: www.oxymoremusic.org // www.agog.de // www.voermusic.com
