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Mark Lettieri

Mark Lettieri is a guitarist, composer, producer, and instructor based in Fort Worth, TX. Proficient in a multitude of styles, he records and performs in virtually every genre of popular music with both independent and major-label artists. He also composes and produces original instrumental music under his own name.

Born in the San Francisco Bay Area, Lettieri came to Texas via Texas Christian University (TCU), studying advertising and public relations, and competing in track and field. A passionate guitarist since middle school, he began his music career in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area upon graduating from TCU.

Playing in the vibrant Metroplex gospel and R&B scene led Lettieri to join jazz/world group Snarky Puppy in 2008, where he contributes as guitarist, as well as arranger and composer. His work with group has resulted in three GRAMMY Awards: Best R&B Performance for "Something" feat. Lalah Hathaway in 2014, and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album (Sylva in 2016, and Culcha Vulcha in 2017). Snarky Puppy tours constantly, having performed on every continent except Antarctica.

Outside of Snarky Puppy, Lettieri has released four albums as a leader: Knows (2011), Futurefun (2013), Spark and Echo (2016) and most recently, Deep: The Baritone Sessions in (2019). Spark and Echo reached #11 on Billboard's Jazz Albums Chart, and #2 on iTunes' Jazz Chart, with Deep debuting at #21 on the Billboard Jazz Albums Chart. Due in large part to Lettieri’s vibrant social media presence, these records have created a sizable buzz among fans of instrumental music worldwide. He performs this music live with the Mark Lettieri Trio, featuring Wes Stephenson (Funky Knuckles) on bass and Jason “JT” Thomas (Snarky Puppy, Forq) on drums.

In 2018, Lettieri joined up with Vulpeck spin-off group The Fearless Flyers, featuring Cory Wong and Joe Dart of Vulfpeck on guitar and bass respectively, and drummer Nate Smith (Chris Potter, Pat Metheny). The quartet has released two EPs, The Fearless Flyers in 2018, and The Fearless Flyers II in 2019.

As an in-demand session guitarist and touring sideman, Lettieri has logged miles with neo-soul icon Erykah Badu, gospel singer Anthony Evans, and American Idol: Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips. He's also performed with a myriad of other artists, including Nelly, Anthony Evans, Chrisette Michele, Myron Butler, N'dambi, Bilal, and even comedians Dave Chappelle and Harry Shearer.

Recent recording work includes David Crosby, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Adam Levine, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Tori Kelly, Ledisi, Tamela Mann, Eric Roberson, Lecrae, Lupe Fiasco, Keyshia Cole, Xzibit, as well as numerous radio and television jingles. Lettieri is also a member of SKP, a production collective led by GRAMMY Award-winning producer Symbolyc One (Kanye West, Beyonce).

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2
Album Review

Snarky Puppy: Empire Central

Read "Empire Central" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


A diciotto anni dalla nascita, gli Snarky Puppy sono tornati a Dallas —luogo d'origine della formazione— per registrare un nuovo album scegliendo l'approccio preferito: quel “live in the studio" con pubblico in sala che ha caratterizzato le loro opere migliori. Quindi otto notti alla Deep Ellum Art Company per mettere a punto 16 nuovi brani, ora pubblicati in doppio album, in triplo vinile. Il disco privilegia il ritorno ai valori musicali originari: una fusion ...

3
Radio & Podcasts

The Fearless Flyers, Mark Lettieri, Dali Mraz and Sonar with David Torn

Read "The Fearless Flyers, Mark Lettieri, Dali Mraz and Sonar with David Torn" reviewed by Len Davis


Lesser known music from Otis McDonald, The Fearless Flyers, from Indonesia Dwiki Dharmawan, guitarist Dali Mraz, Chris Taylor, plus Sonar with David Torn. Quantum Trio and Graham Costello. Playlist Otis McDonald “Grease Of The East (Bay)" from Grease Of The East (Bay) (Track Tribe) 00:00 The Fearless Flyers “Nate Smith Is The Ace Of Aces" from Tailwinds (Vulf) 05:21 Mark Lettieri “Star Catchers" from Deep The Baritone Sessions Vol 2 (Leopard) 10:45 Dwiki Dharmawan “So far So Close" ...

2
Radio & Podcasts

Mark Lettieri, Fernando Molinari, Markus Reuter and Stephan Thelen

Read "Mark Lettieri, Fernando Molinari, Markus Reuter and Stephan Thelen" reviewed by Len Davis


New and recent releases from Mark Lettieri, Oliver Zisko, Fernando Molinari, Olga Konkova, Markus Reuter and Stephan Thelen.Playlist Mark Lettieri “Nebulae" from Deep:The Baritone Sessions Vol 2 (Ground Up) 00:00 Oliver Zisko"Travelin'" from Global Warming (Self Produced) 06:55 Fernando Molinari “Ocean Wind" from Reaching Inside (Self Produced) 13:48 Olga Konkova “The Man With A Van" from Open Secret (Losen) 20:49 Markus Reuter “Consolation" from Truce 2 (Moonjune) 27:48 Stephan Thelen"Celestial Navigation from Fractal Guitar 2-Remixes (Moonjune) 34:46 Lorenzo ...

Radio & Podcasts

Jan Hammer, Mark lettieri and Graham Costello

Read "Jan Hammer, Mark lettieri and Graham Costello" reviewed by Len Davis


Music from Jan Hammer and his album Seasons Part 1, guitarist Mark lettieri's Deep The Baritone Sessions Vol 2 and a new single from Graham Costello's upcoming release.Playlist Jan Hammer “April" from Seasons Part 1 (Country & Eastern) 00:00 Mark Lettieri “Magnetar" from Deep-The Baritone Sessions Vol 2 (Ground Up Music) 17:29 Dennis Chambers-Jeff Berlin “D Funk'd" from Boston T Party (Tone Centre) 29:09 Jeff Berlin “Joe Frazier Round 3" from Joe Frazier Round 3 (Jeff Berlin Music) ...

1
Radio & Podcasts

New releases from Randal Despommier, Mark Lettieri, Cameron Graves and much more

Read "New releases from Randal Despommier,  Mark Lettieri, Cameron Graves and much more" reviewed by Len Davis


We're spinning new music from Charles Berthoud, Cameron Graves, Mark Lettieri and Randal Despommier. Playlist Miles Davis “Miles Runs The Voodoo Down" from Live At Filmore (Sony) 00:00 Return To Forever “Al's Solo" from Return To Forever Returns (Eagle) 06:51 Charles Berthoud “Don't Look Back Again" from Epiphany (Self Produced) 13:34 Cameron Graves “Sons of Creation" from Seven (Mack Avenue) 20:19 Mark Lettieri “Star Catchers" from Deep--The Baritone Sessions Vol 2 (GroundUp) 27:09 The Fearless Flyers “Nate Smith ...

17
Album Review

Snarky Puppy: Immigrance

Read "Immigrance" reviewed by Josh Deakin


Three years after their last release, Snarky Puppy's thirteenth studio album Immigrance makes a statement as a standard for jazz fusion that all modern artists should take note of. The opening track, “Chonks," sets the tone of the record with a fierce drum fill from Larnell Lewis which is reminiscent of reggae tones, an aesthetic which Snarky Puppy enjoy teasing on occasion. The record keeps pace as it weaves together the collection of songs which gives the illusion ...

12
Album Review

Mark Lettieri: Things Of That Nature

Read "Things Of That Nature" reviewed by Mike Jacobs


Some musicians just have a certain skill set. You know, the one that could make “Mary Had A Little Lamb" entertaining enough for you to go out and buy their cover of it? As on his previous albums, guitarist Mark Lettieri's fifth solo outing Things of That Nature reminds us that he is one of those guys. It also reminds us that despite having those serious chops--and a proclivity to rock-out--Lettieri puts way too much emphasis on musical ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Ken Page, Miller, Mulkerhar & Lefkowitz-Brown, C. Spencer Yeh & Andrew Lampert, Mark Lettieri, Anat Cohen & more

Jazz this week: Ken Page, Miller, Mulkerhar & Lefkowitz-Brown, C. Spencer Yeh & Andrew Lampert, Mark Lettieri, Anat Cohen & more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

It's a busy week for live jazz and creative music in St. Louis, with performances in styles ranging from cabaret to vintage jazz to fusion to experimental intermedia and beyond. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, April 4 Singer, actor and St. Louis native Ken Page, now living back in his hometown after a distinguished career on Broadway and in film, will perform his cabaret show for the first of two nights at Jazz at the Bistro . Page (pictured, ...

Concerts

May 15 Wed
May 16 Thu

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Empire Central

GroundUP Music
2022

buy

Things Of That Nature

GroundUP Music
2019

buy

Immigrance

GroundUP Music
2019

buy

Videos

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