Biography

Voted one of the top 10 bassists of 2016 by the prestigious Downbeat Magazine Reader’s Poll, Mark Wade has been an active bassist in the NYC area for over 20 years.

In February 2015, Wade released his debut album Event Horizon to international acclaim. The album received great critical reviews from a host of domestic and international publications such as Downbeat Magazine, Jazz In Europe, The New York City Jazz Record, All About Jazz, Jazz Life (Japan), and several others.

Arnaldo DeSouteiro, founder of Jazz Station Records and NARAS-GRAMMY voting member, voted Event Horizon in the top 10 for his Best of 2015 in the categories of Best Acoustic Bass, Best Composer, and Best Instrumental Group, and #16 for Best Album of the Year. Event Horizon was played extensively on radio stations throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Wade has received several features and interviews about his release and was commissioned by Downbeat Magazine to write a master class article for its July 2015 issue. Wade has also been signed by Edition 46 Records (Berlin) which formally released Event Horizon in Europe on February 26, 2016.

From May 2013 to May 2014, Mark Wade served as an Artist in Residence at Flushing Town Hall where his ensemble, the Mark Wade Trio, was presented in concert on a number of occasions.

In 2012, Wade performed with jazz great Jimmy Heath as part of his “Four Black Immortals” East Coast tour. He has played with other notable jazz artists such as James Spaulding, Harry Whitaker, Peter Eldridge, Don Byron, The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra, and he appeared on The Today Show with Stacey Kent. He also performs regularly with the New York Jazz Repertory Orchestra led by trumpeter Bill Warfield. In 2006 and 2007, Wade was a featured jazz artist at the Natchez Music Festival. From 1997 to 1999, he appeared weekly at Birdland.

Wade is also a New York Pops Teaching Artist.

Discography

Event Horizon (Edition 46)

Mark's debut album, Event Horizon, with pianist Tim Harrison and drummer Scott Neumann has been released. Critics have had great things to say about the record that you can read about. Arnaldo DeSouteiro, founder of Jazz Station Records and NARAS-GRAMMY voting member, voted Event Horizon in the top 10 for his Best of 2015 in the categories of Best Acoustic Bass, Best Composer, Best Instrumental Group, and #16 for Best Album of the Year. AXS Magazine picked Event Horizon as one of the top 5 jazz albums of 2016. Jazz FM, London's top jazz station, voted the album as one of the best records of 2016 as well.

Moving Day (Edition 46)

Moving Day was released on January 19th, 2018. The album has been aired in many radios in Europe and the first reviews are arrived. Mark sat for an in-depth interview with journalist Carol Banks Weber about the new release 'Moving Day'. Carol really gets deep into the music, the interview is available here.

International publications have already had great things to say about it in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweeden or UK. Here are some excerpts:

Colozine Magazin (Germany)

Wonderful fresh and sensitive modern jazz with the 'New York' feel...they take a huge step forward with this recording and set new standards.'

Something Else (UK)

'Moving Day reaffirms why Wade was voted as one of the Top 10 bass players by DownBeat readers...Mark Wade’s bass solo stands out, as it makes a single vocal-like stand which is simply mesmerizing...The band dances in shadow and light here with convincing power and grace.'

Jazz-Fun (Germany)

'Moving Day is jazz that will touch the soul of every jazz lover's inner 'Blue Note'. Mark Wade's lyrical narrative style evokes memories of masterpieces by the greatest jazz legends with one foot rooted in the past while looking far forward to the future.'

LongPlay (Poland)

In every piece we see the uncanny bond of coherence and an almost telepathic understanding between the artists...

A formation with a potential comparable only with the most perfect ensembles in jazz history...a perfect album!'