Born: January 23, 1979 Primary Instrument: Drums
Inarhyme Recording artist Mark Lomax, II has spent a lifetime in music. His mother, a composer of gospel music, introduced him to both gospel and jazz at an early age. He continued his study of gospel music with Dr. Raymond Wise, founder of the Center for the Gospel Arts, where Lomax currently teaches. Besides performing with gospel choirs around the country, Lomax also boasts impressive jazz credentials. He toured with the Delfeayo Marsalis Sextet in 2005, and has worked with Clark Terry, Marlon Jordan, Azar Lawrence, Bennie Maupin, Billy Harper, Nicholas Payton, Ellis Marsalis, and Wessel Anderson, among others. Jazz Times says Lomax’s “forceful drumming would have made Elvin Jones proud.” He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Music Art's degree in composition at The Ohio State University. His myriad experiences have allowed him to create a wonderful blend of styles in his music. Whether he’s interpreting the Negro Spiritual through jazz, arranging gospel music for a symphony orchestra, or performing his original works, his music is relevant, probing, and inspiring. With his new release The State of Black America, Lomax synthesizes all his previous experiences, in gospel music, jazz, and classical music into a powerful personal concept. “It has never been about one or the other when it comes to human experience,” Lomax says. “It is always about the whole, the ability to celebrate our differences while building upon our similarities.”
Awards:
Top 10 jazz records of 2010 by Village Voice“(The State of Black America) is an impressively conceived and executed piece of work from the drummer-leader, one in which the gravitas of the title is adequately matched by the depth of both the composing and improvising of the trio.”- Kevin Le Gendre, Jazzwise Magazine (UK)
“fascinating, entertaining, and provoking.”- Jordan Richardson, I Hear Sparks
“This is a kind of playing that jazz would indeed be wise never to outgrow.” - Jeff Simon, Buffalo News
“It’s accomplished, and something Trane would have found worthy.”- Jazz Scene
“I can't think of any other album... that is this breathtaking”- The Borderland (UK)
“It's a full set of outbop-nubop-nobop, swinging rooted music that shows off their abilities in a good light.” - Gapplegate Music Review
Primary Instrument:
Drums
Location:
Columbus, OH
Willing to teach:
Intermediate to advanced students
Clinic/Workshop Information:
Hour long lectures and/or master class centered around
the music I am performing.
