Mark Nelson(LXXX)
- Music Department
-Born in Calgary, Mark Nelson began drumming at age 15 under the direction of Andy Ericson and Garry De Boeck. In 2003, he received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from Massey University in New Zealand. He was also selected to perform in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra directed by Bruce Paulson. On two occasions he received the Ted Frickleton Most Outstanding Drummer award at the Manawatu Jazz festival.
Afterrelocatingto Montréal (Canada), Mark hasbeenfortunateto attend theBanff Centre for the Arts (Alberta) manytimes. Herehereceived instruction from: TheBad Plus, ClarencePenn, DaceDouglas, Dan Weiss, Andy Milne, BenoitDelbec, David Braid, StevenShick, PeterApfelbaum, DanifisPrieto, Uri Cane andPhilDwyer. Mark furtheredhisstudyofmusicatSIM (School for ImprovisationalMusic) held in BrooklyndirectedbyRalphAlessi. There, manygreatNewYorkmusiciansincludingJim Black, TomRainey, TyshawnSorrey, DrewGressand Ben Streetofferedmusical direction.
Mark has had the opportunity to tour with various ensembles across Canada, extensively in Québec, Europe and even in Brazil. Some of these performances included known events: Francocolies de Spa, Festival d'éte de Québec, FIJM et Osheaga.
In Montréal, he continues his involvement with projects: Jon Day, Rob Lutes, Trio Bruxo, Bean, Olivier Babaz Trio, Joel Kerr Quartet, Jean-Félix Mailloux, Paul Rushka, Connect 4, Alicuanta et Becky Noble Sextet.
Mark also completed his Master of Music (Jazz Performance) at McGill University's Schulich School of Music.