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Mark Flugge

Mark Flugge is well-known as a pianist, composer, educator, and bandleader in the Central Ohio area and beyond. Recent soloist appearances include performing “Rhapsody in Blue” with the Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra (2011), the Capital/Bexley Orchestra (2009), the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (2006 and 2010), and the Westerville Symphony (2004). He was the musical director for the "Birth of the Cool" with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra in May, 2011, and was the bandleader for the Opera Columbus production of Kurt Weill's "Berlin to Broadway" in September, 2010. He presented the solo lecture- recital “From Jelly Roll to Jarrett, a Jazz Piano History” at the King Arts Complex in 2008. In that same year, Flugge collaborated with Ronald Jenkins, musical director at First Community Church, on Sacred Jazz and Spirituals, a service and CD featuring Flugge’s arrangements of standard liturgical music. In 2005 Flugge transcribed Thelonious Monk’s “Town Hall Concert” recording, and subsequently led performances of the transcribed album from the piano for the Firehouse Jazz Series, and also at the University of Illinois’ Summer Jazz Festival. Another Firehouse Jazz Concert Flugge produced, “A Tribute to Horace Silver”, was named a “Best Event of 2005” by the Columbus Dispatch, who also included his “Tribute To Bill Evans” concert with singer Dick Mackey as one of 2007’s most memorable concerts. Founder of the Chamber Jazz Series at the Columbus Music Hall in 2006, Mark continues to program, produce, and perform this series at the Columbus Museum of Art. As a leader, Flugge has recorded three CDs: “In Love, In Blue” on solo piano, “February’s Promise” (jazz quintet original compositions), and “Familiarity”, which also features Gene Bertoncini and Michael Moore. "Waltz Into Madness" a new CD from flutist Lisa Jelle, features Mark on piano, plus several of his compositions and arrangements. He has also recorded four CDs with Columbus singer Dick Mackey, and is the featured soloist on the Famous Jazz Orchestra CD “Sight Readin’ Baby”. The Ohio Arts Council has awarded Flugge on three separate occasions for pieces he composed for his group “No Pedestrians”. In 2011 Flugge performed his composition "Waltz Into Madness" with flutist Lisa Jelle at the National Flute Association annual convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. His recent composition “Chorale and Fantasy” for woodwind sextet was premiered at Capital University by QuintEssential Winds in March 2012. The Mark Flugge Trio is the house rhythm section for the Chamber Jazz Series, and they play every Friday night at the Hyde Park steakhouse, where they’ve been a fixture since 2000.

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Album Review

Mark Flugge: February's Promise

Read "February's Promise" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Jazz piano fans may likely be familiar with some real gems who have descended from Ohio. Start with that mighty Toledan Art Tatum, go on 30 years to another Toledan, Stanley Cowell, and then you find there are very some interesting (mostly “non-Toledan") players in between. Take Hank Marr, Phil DeGreg, Bobby Floyd, Dan Wall, and finally, the subject of this review: one Mark Flugge. Indeed, Flugge may after all be the best-kept secret on the black and ...

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Obituary

Mark Flugge | 1962-2014: Jazz pianist was busy performer, teacher

Mark Flugge | 1962-2014: Jazz pianist was busy performer, teacher

Source: Michael Ricci

As his hearing grew worse and the distortion in his head louder, Mark Flugge struggled to perform the jazz music he loved. The double-punch proved particularly painful for the lifelong pianist. He battled nonstop tinnitus and hearing loss — as well as related depression — for nearly two years. On Sunday, the Bexley pianist took his own life at age 52. Increasingly in recent months, the pleasant tones of music and conversation resembled the din of robots and jackhammers. “A ...

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