Hi, my name is Mark Copeland. I..m a musician.I play Piano ,Organ ,and Keyboards.I..m also a Producer ,Arranger ,Songwriter, Jinglewriter.I play all styles however my preference is all forms of Gospel, Jazz, R&B, and Neo-Soul.This is an attempt to give a history of me and also give a shout out to people that influenced me.I was born in Trenton,NJ. I lived there my early childhood life.I then later moved to Baltimore,MD with my family.I began to get serious about music and auditioned for the Baltimore School of the Arts. I got excepted there and studied there for 4 years.I received my diploma from Baltimore School of the Arts. People that influenced and guided me through this stage of my life musically spiritually or morally were my Mom Theresa Copeland, Dad Aurthur Copeland, Bishop Frank J Ellis ,Elder Joel Lyles,Ms Lusk Watson,Dr Nathan Carter, Ms Lynsey Johnson, Adam Mahonski(the greatest teacher you can have) Steve Yankee, Glenn Roscoe,Earnie Sanders, Kenneth Law, Carlos Mchearn, Felix Mchearn, Maurice Hamilton, Carlton Hamilton, Cornell Williams, Vincent Sneed, Cyrus Chestnut, LA Jones, Lisa law, Steven Law , Guys that I grew up with in B-more that influenced me and were friends were Jaraed Deal, Eric Scott,Barry Simmons, Eric Dennis,Wilbur Nichols,Wayne Newman, Melvin Hill, James Hayes, Dontae Winslow ,Richard White,Charles Leach, James Nelson , Johnathan Nelson ,Jason Nelson,(to name a few). My home church at this time was Carter Memorial COGIC, the late Bishop Frank J Ellis.The current pastor is Elder Carl Pierce. Shout out to Carter Memorial COGIC a great church to have church. I also played for Bethel Churches of Christ,the late Bishop Robert Evans pastor,Bishop Pender current pastor.Shout out to Bethel (another church havin church in Baltimore)
After graduating from High School ,I got excepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston ,MA. My journey in Boston was a great learning experience.I learned a whole lot about music ,life and how to trust on God. I had the honor to study ,admire and hang out with some amazing musicians that impacted my life.These people were Dennis Montgomery(awesome organist)Orville Wright, George Russell, Ray Santisi, Dean Earl, Richard Evans,Charles Craig.Jetro da Silva,and, Anthony Wonsey.Some of my peers that I went to school with that had a great impact on me musically or as friends were Reuben Rogers,Mark Simmons ,Pastor Jimane Nelson(proud of you) ,Robbie Lewis(thanks for the opportunity-you taught me a lot),Melvin Smith ,John Lamkin,Eddie Baucus, Adonis Ross.Tyrone Chase,Chris Loftlan.Charles Haynes(to name a few). One of the greatest influences in my life is Bishop Bernard Bragg.He is the pastor of New Life Restoration Temple church in Boston,MA.This is one of the greatest preachers I know. He appointed me minister of music at the church.Through his teachings I learned a lot on how to deal with people ,how to forgive and how to give God praise inspite what you..re going through.Bishop Bragg has huge compassion for people and has genuine love for lost souls.He has always encouraged me and supported me and my family.He has spoken blessings in my life and always given me a timely word from the Lord. Shout out to the New Life Restoration Family-(I Love and Miss You All).Shout out to all New Life Music Ministry Past and Present.While living in Boston God gave me favor to be able to work with some national artist like Yolonda Adams,Kim Burrell,Patti Labelle, Daryl Coley presnts Here to Praise.,David Talbert, to name a few. Living in Boston for 11 years also gave me the opportunity to work with some incredible musicians.and singers and make some cool friends.(I miss you All). Some of these people are Walter Beasley(thanks I learned a lot ),Andrae Ward, Kendrick Oliver and the New Life Jazz Orchestra, House of Blues School House Program,Eula Lawrence,Ron Murphy.Lance Martin, Metro(Jack Lambert),Elan Trotman, Antonial Jackson,Monica and Jason Anderson, Nicki Mungo,Min Freda Battle,Pastor Bobby Perry,Min Clarence Powell, Towanna Frazier ,Angella Berryman, Sean Skeet(thanks for your friendship), Stanley Swan,Lenny Starthworth,Webster Roach,David Cowin,Wayne Jones ,Joe Davis jr ,Tim Ingles(bass),Donavan Henry(anointed singer)Tonya Gregg. Shout out to some family and friends in Boston-Mama Sue-Papa Sunny-Wilma Mathis,Barbara Mathis,Deacon Davis-Ann Davis-Dorean Reed,James Hills,Latrelle Chase,James(bay)Thomas,Eric & Depreisha Holley,Sheryll Gomes,Kevin&Evette Atkins.Thank You all for your friendship & support!!!There are so many other people that I would like to mention and will probably go back to write some more.Please forgive me if I forgot any one.Blame it on the head and not the heart. During my stay in boston I got married to the lovely Saundra Mathis –Copeland.(Love You).Be on the look out for Saundra she will be coming out with her fashion designs and CD –(she can sing!).We have two daughters Kyva and Ayeisha in which I..m very proud of..After Graduading from Berklee College of Music in 2004 I received an offer to move to Houston Texas.I moved in 2005 .That..s where I will end my About me profile for now.(I will update this as I go on).( I..m not finished!.Check back so I can give you the scoop on what I..m doing now and shout out to some awesome Houston musicians.Also I..m going to give long shout out to Family (Brother Sean Copeland)( and other family members and friends) ************************************************************
*Well I..m back to tell you about my journey in Houston,TX. I moved from Boston to Texas in 2005. Transitioning from one place to the other wasn..t easy.It was a total faith move.My first year I went through a lot however through the prayers of the saints,family friends,and faith in God ,God brought us out into some blessings!!Well I guess I should give you a brief descripton of Houston.Houston is Huge.They say everything is Big in Texas,Well that is true.Everything is spread apart which is cool. Prices are cheaper down here,however jobs pay a little less than the north. If you want a slammin new house for a good price,houston is the place to move.They..re always building new houses everywhere you turn.In Houston they are always building new buildings (period).Everything looks New.There are tons and tons of great places to shop & eat.(anybody that knows me know I love to eat-haha)One thing you would have to get used to is the heeeeeeeeeeeeatttt.It gets Hotttt in the summer however in the winter it is about 70-75 degrees.I have to get used to having a warm christmas,I prefere christmas cold.Since everything is far apart you would have to get used to driving long distances.I guess I..m used to it by now.There are alot of great places to worship in houston. People in Texas are very friendly.They are very giving & caring people.They give you that southern hospitality.Since moving to houston, houston musicians have really embraced me here.They have really looked out for me as a fellow musician.Thanks for excepting me.I..m currently a staff musician at Abundant Life Cathedral,pastor Dr.Ed & Saundra Montgomery. Mark Taylor(my mentor) is the Music Administrator ,Daniel Johnson praise & worship leader .I..ve learned a lot both spiritually and musically at Abundant Life. Since my move to Texas God has given me Favor to be able to work & play for some great singers, musicians and establishments at some point in my stay here.I don..t take it for granted.Some of these people are Yolonda Adams(at mayor Bill White inauguration)Regina Belle(at ADA benefit concert and others).AL Jarreau(at ADA benefit concert),Michael English(unity day),Lyric,Mary Griffin,Gordon Chambers, Earnest Walker and Associates(thanks for the opportunities),Chris Walker,Peter White(ADA concert),Kirk Whalum(ADA concert)Mike Phillips,Kyle Turner,Dean James,Ken Mondshine and Brotherhood,Mark Dini Group,Daryl Richards,Althea Rene,Yvvone Washington(unity day)Hanq Neal,Danette,Gary Mayes(thanks for putting me on your recording-you are killin),Nicki Ross.Dana Jackson.The Platters.MarkMccain,RedCat Jazz Cafe,Krogers Supermarket,Chris Black(thanks for your help),(Mark Simmons,Yolondra Simmons)-(thank you both for you prayers and support).I thank God that I..ve had the chance to work with such talent.I am humbled.I want to give a shout out to some more(Bad) Awesome Texas musicians and singers that I have met and or played with.These are some of Houston..s Best-.Bobby Lyles,Joe Sample(I have not met him yet but soon will),Mark Taylor(awesome singer and pianist), Joe Cook(awesome pianist),Chris Black,Earnest Walker,Marci,Rick Marcell,Parrish Early,Glenn Piper,Alvin king,Darly Levine,Andrae Venson,Antonial Langham,Anthony(bass),Austin Beil,Kelly Dean,David Cacceress,Vernan Daniels,Brennon Nase,David Cummings,Byron Mcwilliams(we went to berklee together),Craig Harris,Corey Stoot,Dayrl Richards,Dewan Green,Kevin Graves,Eric Elders,Eric Porter,Keith Pace,Chad Brawley,Scott Gertner,Gary Mayes,Joey Oscar,Bettye Nelson,Elder Brian Nelson,Micah Stampley,Nicki Ross,Kim Burrell,Gregory Curtis,Bobby Sparks,George Coward,JB (keys),Jeremy Gaddy,Jermaine Williams,Jerre Jackson,John Calderon,Junior,Andrae Grant,Keith Vivans,Ken Mondshine,Savar,Kerry Wilkins,Kyle Turner,Mark Dini,Mark Simmons,Angella Simmons,Yolondra Simmons,Mike Morrison,Monica(bass)Patrick Tribbet,Patrick Williams,Paul Richards,Robert Glasper,Barry Jackson,Chris Dave(I have not met yet but soon will)Steven Rashad,Terence,Terence,Tommy Hammond,Willie Smith,Kendrick Thomas,Zane,Pookie,V Micheal Mckay,Daryl Johnson.Andrew Leinhart,Rob and Lici,Liz Vauhn,Cookie,Andrae James,Jeffrey Womack,Shawn Mclemore,Brigget Taylor,Daniel Johnson,Yvonne Washington,Sammy Ammons,Damian Harris,Sjon Christopher, I know I missed naming some musicans.I..ll come back and add later..I just appreciate great talent and Houston has great talent.I want to give a shout out to My Mother, Theresa Copeland.I love You Mom .You..ve been there in every stage of my life as a mother ,friend, confidant and spiritual advisor,.Thank You.To my brother Sean Copeland –Love you man .God has placed a lot in you that will be used for his glory.Continue to stay focused.Keep killin those drums.To my Grandfather-WA Flowers thanks for your help.You are the family rock.thanks Aunt Doris for helping me out.Thank you,Vivian Ballard(grandmother) Mark Oatman(father) –Thank you for helping me and renewed relationship.Thanks Rassaad(brother)-Thanks for introducing family. Thanks to all my Aunts, Uncles,and Cousins. God has blessed me with a great family.Things are looking pretty good now in texas.Put everything in God..s hands.God works it out.As for what else I..m doing .Well I..m just working on Me!!.Anybody that knows me know I always cater to other people and things and neglect myself . I..m right now just concentrating on personal growth in every area of my Life..Keep me in your prayers.Look out for some music from me in the future. Be patient ,God..s not through with me yet.Peace and Blessings –Mark Copeland (from time to time I will write words of encouragement and words of wisdom to help musicians)-Remember Humility is the Key !!!!!!!!!
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