Music Style Jazz

Artist History In January of 2000, bassist Andy Mertens and pianist Mark Martin introduced a Sunday night jazz jam to Wisconsin's Fox Valley called the "Jazz Orgy". Every week, the Jazz Orgy engages in an exploration of traditional jazz, performing modern improvisations in non-traditional ensembles that are influenced by music from all over the world. What sets the Jazz Orgy aside from a typical jazz jam is it's unique format that includes special guests every week, a consistent calibre of talented musicians, and an open jam that is unrivaled in the Fox Valley. In May of 2002, drummer Mark Powers became a permanent fixture in the Jazz Orgy, completing the jazz trio and adding another profound element to the ensemble. Since then, the Jazz Orgy has attracted musicians from throughout Midwest America, including Chicago, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Minneapolis, and beyond. Some of the more notable guest musicians include Members of the Count Basie Orchestra, Steve Smith, John Harmon, Tom Theabo, Bob Maynard, Peter Buxman, and more.

Group Members Mark Martin began playing piano expertly at an age where most kids are playing with Superman or Batman. Mark immersed himself within the works of Beethoven and Mozart while embarking into the study of composition and winning the MTNA National Composition Award at the age of eight. He went on to win six more National Composition Awards before turning 18 years old. In high school Mark picked up brass instruments and quickly accelerated into one of the top ensemble players in state competition. Mark attended the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh majoring in Piano and immersed himself in the compositions of Chopin, Lizst, Scriabin, and Rachmaninoff. It was in college when Mark developed his philosophy of "injuring humans with music," which is now immensely palpable to anyone who can listen with their eyes and feet. In the past five years Mark has indulged in electronic music as well as studying and performing jazz and funk. All of these styles align in juxtaposition with his classical background to provide a lyricism that is painfully funky or sweetly sad. It can be ferocious or mellow, and it is always highly enjoyable. Mark is currently living in Oshkosh, Wisconsin while working and touring with the Jazz Orgy and Something Phonic. ----- Andrew Mertens began his professional career at age sixteen playing nine shows a week for a local dinner theater, while also performing sporadically with various rock bands. Following a pit orchestra stint, he worked with a glam metal band, an outlaw biker band, and subbed with various blues and rock bands. Andrew spent the early part of the nineties studying classical music and performing with the Lawrence University Symphony Orchestra while delving into jazz. He is a 1998 graduate of the Lawrence University's Conservatory of Music, earning a bachelor of music performance. Throughout college Andrew maintained an impressive performance schedule playing five to ten gigs per week with groups of unfixed styles; jazz, rock, blues, polka, reggae, dixieland, country, funk, and on and on. Most recently Andrew has performed with the Broadway touring companies: "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Beauty and the Beast." In 1999 played for the Shirley Jones Christmas Special, and toured the country with both the "Jan Garber Orchestra," and the gypsy swing group "Harmonious Wail." Andrew is currently living in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and teaches at a small liberal arts college while maintaining a private studio, and is working and touring with the Jazz Orgy. ----- Mark Powers moved to Minneapolis at the age of sixteen after an accelerated high school graduation, where he studied drumset performance for two years at Music Tech. While there, he also took private lessons and masterclasses with Gordy Knutson (drummer for the Steve Miller Band) and Marv Dahlgren (author of 4-Way Coordination). Since leaving Music Tech with a diploma in Professional Percussion Performance, Mark has divided his time between teaching and performing. Mark's continually growing list of performing and recording credits covers the full gamut if styles, including Playtime (smooth jazz) Optic (progressive rock), Frankie Yankovic (Slovenian polka), Big Woods West Band (swing), Andy Lubahn (country), K!CK (variety), Boxkar (alternative rock), and many other rock and jazz combo dates. His busy schedule has also allowed him to work musically with many great organizations, including Hollywood Images, Oshkosh B'Gosh, Aveda Products International, the Minnesota Twins, and the Delta Queen Steamboat Company. As a private drumset instructor, Mark currently maintains a roster of about 50 students in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Mark is often Astist-In-Residence at area elementary and middle schools, conducting group percussion programs, facilitating hand drum circles, leading 'Junk Jam' workshops, teaching West African drumming styles, and directing percussion ensembles.

Instruments Mark Martin, Piano - Andy Mertens, Bass - Mark Powers, Drums

Location Oshkosh, WI - USA

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