Mark Prince’s – Fraction of InfinitySince 1995, Mark Prince has made a name for himself on the international scene, primarily as the drummer for artists such as: Andy Milne’s Dapp Theory, Bobby Lyle, Jennifer Holliday, Fertile Ground, and a host of other important artists.After scores of tour dates, hundreds of recording sessions, and countless contributions as a sideman, Mark Prince places himself front and center with his powerful debut album as a leader – Fraction of Infinity.Joined by a stellar rhythm section including Federico Gonzalez Pena (Me’shell Ndegeocello, Cassandra Wilson, Bebel Gilberto) on piano and keyboards, and Michael Bowie (Abbey Lincoln, Betty Carter, Michel Camilo) on acoustic and electric bass, Mark showcases his potent songwriting skills with 10 all original compositions ranging from straight ahead Jazz to Funk, Soul, and Fusion. All bases are covered in this debut outing on Contour Records.Personnel also includes:Alvin White: guitar
DeAndre Shaifer: Trumpet & Flugel Horn
Greg Boyer: Trombone
David White: Tenor Sax & Flute
David Merlin-Jones: Soprano Sax
Geno Young: Vocalwww.markprincemusic.com
www.myspace.com/markprinceondrums
Born and raised in Washington, DC, Mark has developed into one of the premier drummers in todays music scene. Honing his skills at Howard University under the expert tutilege of the legendary Grady Tate, as well as maintaining a strong classical background as a National Symphony Fellowship recipient, his versatility is a sought after attribute amongst the musical community both nationally and internationally.Though an accomplished classical percussionist, Mark feels that he expresses himself most clearly through the drumset, and readily accepts the honor and responsibility of mastering the instrument ( in its American form ) that is the driving force and spiritual center of all music in the African Diaspora.
Mark is steadily making a name for himself within the larger community of national and international artists, having performed with many notable musicians, as well as those deserving wider recognition, at home and abroad. His ability to function in varied stylistic realms is evident in the eclectic list of those with which he has collaborated. Mark takes pride in being versatile, as he has shown, and will continue to show with ever-increasing intensity.
Upon graduating from Howard University in 1995, Mark began a six-year stint with cutting-edge keyboardist Andy Milne. His time with this band served as a rewarding platform of development, being thrust into the complex, but intensely groove-driven arena of M-BASE music. This idiom, a fusion of funk, jazz, astrology, mysticism, and any other pertinent influence, was a perfect match for Marks unique style of drumming, which draws from influences equally as vast. In this context, Mark developed a relentless sense of groove, making the most complex of rhythmic patterns danceable, a skill that he deftly applies in many different styles. During this period, Mark also toured and recorded with Carlos Wards Radius, Opus Akoben, Debbie Kirkland, Davey Yarborough, Alex Bugnon, and Charles Fambrough, gaining a strong reputation as an extremely versatile drummer, playing styles ranging from hip-hop and R&B to contemporary and straight-ahead jazz.
In the fall of 2001, Mark was recruited by master flautist and composer, James Newton to take the drum chair in an original ballet entitled, Crossroads, which has been performed nationwide by the Jose Limon Dance Company. After completing a month-long stint, he received a call from the Broadway and R&B Legend, Jennifer Holliday. Immediately securing the gig by way of his tremendous groove and musicality, Mark received the additional honor of being asked by Ms. Holliday to be the drummer for her twentieth anniversary run of Dreamgirls, the world renowned musical that catapulted her career.
In the meantime, Mr. Prince has been performing with a steady stream of Brazilian, Cuban, and Puerto Rican musicians, garnering a strong reputation in the Latin Jazz scene in his hometown of Washington, DC. His current association with the Philadelphia-based Gospel-Jazz singer Ruth Naomi Floyd has provided an oppurtunity to bridge the gap between New York and DC. Marks combination of hard-driving swing and sensitive musicality serve as full testament of the fact that he is fully deserving of the label of All Around Drummer.Mark has also begun to gain a reputation as an excellent clinician and teacher. He has lead and co-lead clinics (along with keyboardist Andy Milne) and masterclasses in the U.S., Canada, and South America.
In addition to his teaching endeavors abroad, Mark frequently gives back to the community that supported his development, by giving lectures and demonstrations to students in the DC and Maryland Public School Systems, further punctuating his versatility, as well as his commitment to sharing the gift of music.Mark endorses: GMS Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, and Evans Heads.Performed / Recorded with:Ronnie Laws, Steve Coleman, Andy Milne, Charles Fambrough, Alex Bugnon, Terence Blanchard, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ralph
Peterson, Gary Grainger, Scott Ambush, Clarence Seay, Debbie
Kirkland, ReggieWashington, Sunny Sumter, David Gilmore,Steve Wilson, David Yarborough, Federico Pena, Opus Akoben, Carlos Ward, David Fiuczynski, Tyrone Brown, Geri Allen, Wallace Roney, Talib Kibwe, Matthew Garrison, Ron Holloway, James Williams, James Weidman, Essiet Okun Essiet, Ravi Coltrane, Vinia Mojica, Gary Thomas, Ruth Naomi Floyd, Bruce Cockburn, Julian Joseph, David Dyson, Bryan Carrot, The Jazzyfatnastees, Greg Phillanganes, Billy Childs, Gregoire Maret, Donald Harrison, Michael Cain, Jay Hoggard, Marty Ehrlich, Jennifer Holliday, Nestor Torres, John Blake, Fertile Ground, James Newton, Lonnie Plaxico, Don Braden, Michael Bowie, Rodney Jones, Sherry Winston, Peabo Bryson, Ruben Studdard, Chuck Redd, Tom Schuman, Bobby Lyle, Sergio BrandaoTelevision Appearances:
DC Jazz Legends, DC Public Access Channel feature
2004House Drummer, Star Jamz, TVOne Network
2004Cully Jazz Festival, European simulcast, w/ Andy Milne
March 2001Live at the Knitting Factory, BET Jazz Network, w/ Carlos Ward
April 2001Good Day Dallas, Fox (Dallas), w/ Andy Milne
May 1998
Your Birthdate: February 10
