Mark E. Peterson
From an early age, St. Louisan Mark Peterson exhibited a fond interest for anything musical (his father, an avid music collector with a passion for classical and jazz; his mother, a radio station manager who would bring home classic R&B and gospel records for he and his brother. After playing drums for several years, Mark's interests turned to the electric bass after attending a Parliament/Funkadelics concert, featuring The Bass Lord of Funkdom Bootsy Collins. Later, after attending a RETURN TO FOREVER concert, he would meet bassist Stanley Clarke. Clarke recommended that while continuing to hone his electric bass skills, Mark shoud also learn to play the acoustic bass. Within three months of that meeting, Mark purchased his first acoustic bass from famed bassist Billy Houston - uncle to Tom and Dick Smothers! Mark would later write to Stanley, informing him of the purchase. To his amazement, Stanley continued corresponded and sent musical exercises!
Mark honed his musical performance and arranging skills by working with many of St. Louis’ finest musicians, all the while studying classical bass with the late Henry Loew (Principal Bassist for The St. Louis Symphony). His friendship and long musical association with Johnny Johnson, famed rock and roll pianist with guitarist Chuck Berry, would imprint upon him the importance of providing a solid and supportive bass line (reinforced by watching the great ragtime tuba player Red Lehr, pianist Jeannie Kittrell, bassist Billy Houston and banjo player John Becker perform on the riverboat, Robert E. Lee, moored on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River.
In 1990, Mark made a decisive move to New York City. Initial meetings and gigs with guitarists Jimmy Tunnel (Steps Ahead) and Chuck Loeb would lead Mark to work briefly with the jazz group Special EFX.
Since that time, Mark has become known to U.S. and audiences abroad for his masterful acoustic and electric bass playing (as well as his strong tenor voice). He has performed and recorded with such luminary artists as Shakira, Cassandra Wilson, Maxime LeForrestier, Clark Terry, James Blood Ulmer, percussionist Doc Gibbs, Mary Black, Lyle Lovett, Joan Baez, Heather Sullivan, The Dubliners, Melissa Errico, Jason Robert Brown, Barbara Roy, Mavis Staples, David Bromberg, Tremaine Hawkins, Lisa Lynn Mathis, Ornette Coleman, Vernon Reid and Lizz Wright.
As leader of his own group, "MPQ" - The Mark Peterson Quartet, he has received major acclaim with the release of his cd, "The Blue Room", and has opened for a miriad of artists, including fellow St. Louisan/saxophonist David Sanborn and vocalist DeeDee Bridgewater.
In 2005, Mark toured Central Asia and Russia, along with fellow musicians guitarist David Gilmore and trumpeter Eddie Allen, as part of the U.S. Department of State “Jazz Ambassadors” Program.
Mark continues to be a mainstay on the New York music scene as a bandleader, clinician, musical contractor and consultant with over 100 jingles and recording credits to his name.