I love life, and I apply this love to everything that I do, especially music. I spend most of my time playing bass and Piano, by either Performing, Recording, Practicing, Rehearsing, or Teaching my wonderful students. The rest of my time I am either hanging out with Family: Eva, Bulit, Doni, and Lexi, meditating, reading, or replying to messages from ..(you) .. my friends. I am currently playing in the bands:
..Cumako.. (www.cumakoband.com)
(www.myspace.com/cumako):Free Spirited World Music Fusion. Staring Luis "El Pana" on Venezuelan Percussion.
Ai Hagiwara on Flute/Alto Flute/Keys.
Steven "Jose" Williams on Sax/Clarinet/Keys.
Mark Johnson on Electric Bass/Stand Up Bass/Baby Bass. Ruben Bocaranda (Calgary's New Superhero) on Drums, and
Oscar Coronado on Trumpet and Vocals.
..The Living In Swing Orchestra.. (www.LivinInSwing.com) Staring Peter Robinson: Singing, playing Piano, and directing the Band all at once!!! Peter and his Orchestra together Create the "Ultimate Party Atomosphere", whether it is a Wedding, a Private Function, Night Club, or any party, LivinInSwing Will Entertain You!!!
..The Pana Band.. (www.myspace.com/thepanaband) Calgary's hottest Salsa band. The Pana Band features Calgary's finest latin musicians.Luis "El Pana" on Timbales and Percussion, Oliver Miguel" on Sax's, as well as our Musical Director, "Raul Tabera" on Conga's. And that's just to name a few. Come and see "The Pana Band" any time we are playing and you will be sure to dance the night away.
..Zan.. : An Original Jazz Project Staring: Krista Malden on Drums, she is also our Director and Composer,
Tynan Groves on Guitar, Ai Hagiwara on Flute, Mark Johnson on Upright Bass. Zan's Style spans from: Drum and Bass Groove Jazz to Free and Experimental Jazz to Funk, Latin, and Rock.
..Libertango.. : (www.DanceCalgary.com) Staring: Roman Hernandez on Violin, Darcy North on Bandoneon, Peter Mazlin on Bandoneon, Emiko Okada on Piano, Mark Johnson on Contrabass, and Karina Szulc on Vocals. Calgary’s best Live Tango Music and Dance Instruction.
I also play with solo artists like ..Steph Nilsen.. .
Along with keeping busy performing I teach private lessons for Bass(Electric/Upright) and Guitar. As well as Theory/Arranging/Composition. I Graduated from Grant MacEwan with a Diploma in Jazz Performance.
Contact me here on my myspace (www.myspace.com/markplayingbass), and send me a message if you are interested in Lessons.
I have spent most of my life playing music, and have been playing professionally for almost 15 years. During my professional Career I have had great the oppertunity to play with such artists as Juno/Grammy Award Winners: .."Senator" Tommy Banks, PJ Perry, Luis "Emilio" Rios, Sandro Dominelli, Alberto San-Martin, and Isreal 'Toto' Berriel.. ... and many others. I spent two years working at sea for Holland America Cruise Line playing in Jazz Trios, where I got to see some really cool parts of the world....... It was so much fun!!! I got to meet so many beautiful people, and like I said see the world. I am however really enjoying land life now, cruising was fantastic, but there is no comparison to being around my family and the people that I love.
Click on the Names Above. Some of them are Links!!!!
