Mark Zaleski's Tribute to the 90's
My name is Mark Zaleski. I’m an internationally-touring saxophonist from Boston, MA, and a professor at Berklee College of Music, Berklee Online, and New England Conservatory of Music. Today, I humbly ask for your help in supporting my 5th studio album “Mixtape Sessions: A Portrait of the 90’s”.
In March of 2024, I had a vision of playing the music I personally grew up with in the venues I most often play, which are mostly jazz clubs and festivals. I challenged myself to gather together some of the absolute best musicians in the world to do so. The result was electrifying!
Musicians who are my heroes, like Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, and Dave Brubeck, made names for themselves by performing the music of their respective childhoods. I think it’s about time I did the same.
This record features music by Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Radiohead, Aaliyah, and more. Musicians featured will be...
Jason Palmer (trumpet)
Troy Roberts (tenor saxophone)
Cecil Alexander (guitar)
Glenn Zaleski (piano)
Matt Dwonszyk (bass)
Jonathan Barber (drums)
The 90’s were a beautiful time for music. I specifically remember sitting by my boombox, waiting for my favorite songs to come on the radio. I’d flip back and forth between the rock stations, the pop stations, the oldies stations, the classic rock stations, the indie stations, and the hip-hop/R&B stations on the quest to create these perfect mixtapes that I personally curated. That was hard back then, as I hate to wait hours and hours for my favorite songs, and as a result, I valued these collections more than if I create a Spotify or Apple Music playlist today.
This album represents what may have been included in one of those mixtapes, but reimagined with my high-energy jazz instrumental conception coined by “The Mark Zaleski Band”.
What We Need & What You Get
The funds raised will be used to pay for the costs of the musicians (including appearance fees, transportation, food, and lodging from New York, Boston, and Dallas to Springfield, MA), studio time (including tracking, mixing, mastering), videography documenting the session, publicity fees, duplication fees, and mechanical licenses to the artists that original wrote the music.
In exchange for your support, we have set up a list of compelling rewards. At any level of contribution, we'll offer immediate access to our March 2024 concert video premiering this idea (clips of which you've seen on the video from this page). That video features the same personnel listed above, but Mark Whitfield Jr on drums, and Donny McCaslin on tenor saxophone. No, you won't have to wait until the campaign is over, you'll get access to the video TODAY!
There are also options for pre-ordering CD's and vinyl, autographed copies of the sheet music, invitations to parts of the late May 2025 recording in Springfield, MA, family or artist photo shoots with the amazing Greta DiGiorgio photography, and more.
Growing the Jazz Community
Jazz music is currently the least popular music in America. However, those of us that know the effect tend to fall completely fall head over heels in love with it. I believe that most people in the US aren't exposed to high-quality jazz music, and therefore are almost afraid to dig into it for fear of not being educated enough to appreciate it, similar to a wine culture. I think this attitude is ridiculous, and it has always been one of my artistic missions to change that.
I have never put together a project that has been more effective in achieving this goal than this one. This project, in my opinion, has the combination of the repertoire choice, arrangements, and the UNBELIEVABLE musicians that have chosen to be a part of this. I'm always thrilled to be able to provide music for the loyal followers that have been with me since the beginning of the journey, but this particular project I firmly believe will increase awareness to this great American music.
Risks & Challenges
The costs of releasing music as an independent artist is rising expoentially. I also know that the cost of EVERYTHING is rising exponentially, so I feel bad asking for money from anyone.
All I ask, is that if this project is something you feel speaks to you, please consider purchasing this album in advance. If all of my followers were to do that, we'll hit this goal easily. In return, I promise I'll deliver the most compelling musical product I've ever created!
Thank you SO MUCH for your consideration, and may the dream of the 90’s live on in all of our hearts!