About

Internationally touring musician, Mark Zaleski, has distinguished himself as a uniquely dynamic soloist, mulit-instrumentalist, and band leader. He has performed with a diverse group of notable artists including Dave Brubeck, Christian McBride, Ian Anderson, Lake Street Dive, the grammy-winning 8-Bit Big Band, Louis Cole, Connie Francis, Mahmoud Ahmed, Rakalam Bob Moses, the Either/Orchestra, and Jason Palmer.  He has been a featured soloist with the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra and the Chrysalis Rock Orchestra.

Growing up in the small town of Boylston, MA, Zaleski was influenced by the musical tastes of his friends, family, and teachers.  His parents were fans of rock and pop music from the 1960’s and 1970’s like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Temptations and Stevie Wonder.  His friends were fans of punk and metal bands of the 1990’s like Nirvana, Metallica, and Pearl Jam.  His brother, Glenn Zaleski, and his music teachers listened to jazz artists such as Dave Brubeck, Ray Brown, Oscar Peterson, Cannonball Adderley, and John Coltrane.

His unique approach to jazz led him to become the first alto saxophonist selected to the prestigious Dave Brubeck Institute Fellowship Program in Stockton, CA in 2003. Zaleski spent those two year performing with his virtuostic peers and learning from established pros such as Bobby Watson, Ndugu Chancler, Conrad Herwig, Eric Harland, Greg Tardy, Rufus Reid, Robin Eubanks, and Mic Gillette. Upon completion of the Brubeck Institute, Mark continued his studies at The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA. It was at the New England Conservatory that he was able to study with some of the most influential teachers of his life, Charlie Banacos and Jerry Bergonzi. While at The New England Conservatory, Zaleski began to delve deeply into composition.  His compositional style derives itself from the music he grew up listening to while still drawing from his training as a jazz musician.

While the band has no vocalist, Zaleski takes on the lead voice channeling a combination of his saxophone heroes and inspirational vocalists like Stevie Wonder, Robert Plant, Michael Jackson, and Donny Hathaway.  This sound proved to be a unique voice in jazz, and started touring at clubs, colleges, and festivals around the country.  Notable appearances have been at Small’s in New York City, the Ballard Jazz Festival in Seattle, the Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival in Boston, and the Istanbul Jazz Festival.

The personal relationships within the ensemble is one of the most important and unique aspects of the Mark Zaleski Band. Beginning at the ages of 10 and 8 years old, Mark and his brother, Glenn Zaleski, have been playing music and creatively collaborating together for the past twenty years! Since meeting at The New England Conservatory, Zaleski and tenor saxophonist Jon Bean have played together as a saxophone duo for 15 years and work together as if one mind is manipulating both of their musical voices. These are only two examples of how the interpersonal relationships within the band play a major role in creating its sound.

Additionally, Zaleski is active in many musical projects including work with Mehmet Sanlikol, Matt Savage, Omar Thomas Large Ensemble, The Brighton Beat, John Allmark Jazz Orchestra and the Either/Orchestra. He also is on faculty at the Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory of Music. In addition, he is the founder of Boston-based soul band “Planet Radio,” and plays electric bass in the band.

Zaleski currently serves on the faculty of Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory in Boston, MA