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Mark Shim

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, saxophonist Mark Shim moved to Canada then later settled in Richmond, Virginia. He started on saxophone in seventh grade, graduating from high school in 1991 and attending Virginia Commonwealth University and William Paterson College. In 1994 he moved to Brooklyn, where he played and recorded with Hamiett Bluiett in Harlem. He then played with Mose Allison, Betty Carter, Greg Osby, and the Mingus Big Band.

Shim's debut recording Mind Over Matter (Blue Note, 1998) was followed by New Directions , a young group project, that included Osby, Jason Moran, and Stefon Harris and then his second recording as a leader, the outstanding Turbulent Flow, both released on Blue Note in 2000.

With a unique deep timbre and chops that range from swinging bop, uncut funk, to avant-garde, Shim continues to perform, record, and tour with artists such as Delfeayo Marsalis, Carmen Lundy, The Headhunters, Michele Rosewoman, Liberty Ellman, and Steve Lehman.

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Album Review

Ben Sidran: Don't Cry for No Hipster

Read "Don't Cry for No Hipster" reviewed by Luca Muchetti


'Stile' è il primo sostantivo che viene facile utilizzare per descrivere la musica di Ben Sidran. Nome notissimo nella scena americana, cantante, pianista, compositore e fine conoscitore della musica in toto (evitiamo di utilizzare l'etichetta 'jazz' memori anche del non troppo lontano album in tributo a Bob Dylan), con Don't Cry for no Hipster Sidran torna alle atmosfere fumose a lui più care: quattordici canzoni, tante, trovano spazio in un'opera che guarda alla tradizione, intimismi da jazz club e puntate ...

271
Album Review

Mark Shim: Turbulent Flow

Read "Turbulent Flow" reviewed by Mark Corroto


At 26, saxophonist Mark Shim is living a dream life. Born in Jamaica, he moved to the US at age five. As a young man he was ‘discovered’ by baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett. He was soon a member of The David Murray Big Band, Betty Carter’s band, and the Mingus Big Band. His first recording, Mind Over Matter paired our hero with jazz punk guitarist Dave Fiuczynski. His toying with jazz tradition earned critical acclaim and a spot in the ...

88
Album Review

Mark Shim: Turbulent Flow

Read "Turbulent Flow" reviewed by Jim Santella


Mark Shim’s modern mainstream quintet consists of first-rate artists who possess the technical skills necessary for fast-paced improvisation. This is not a swinging session; the arrangements are intended to push hard and provide the listener with a mood of intensity. The rambling nature allows each artist his solo spots with the opportunity to pump a lot of notes into this hard bop formula. A young lion, Shim was born November 21, 1973 in Kingston, Jamaica. His parents moved to Canada ...

181
Album Review

Mark Shim: Mind Over Matter

Read "Mind Over Matter" reviewed by Jim Santella


When Mark Shim stands to take a solo with The Mingus Big Band, his youthful, clean-cut appearance comes in direct contrast to the deep, robust tone coming from his tenor saxophone. Drawn to tenor saxophone “players with a darker sound," as he states in the liner notes, Shim has made impressions on those with whom he's shared the stage, including Hamiett Bluiett, David Murray, and Betty Carter. Enlisting the support of pianist Geri Allen, bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Eric ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Brain Dance

Cuneiform Records
2011

buy

Turbulent Flow

W.E.R.F.
2000

buy

Mind Over Matter

Blue Note Records
1998

buy

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