Benefit for Mark Mondesir
Tonight we are hosting a benefit for one of the great friends of the Club who also happens to be one of the finest drummers the UK has produced, Mark Mondesir. Born and brought up in the East End of London in the mid 60's, Mark was raised on an eclectic musical diet, from Rock and Funk through Jazz and Country to Calypso. He started playing drums in his early teens but it was following an invitation to attend a London-based jazz workshop run by noted trumpeter Ian Carr in 1984 that his drumming career really began to blossom. It was here he was to meet up with a number of lifelong musical compatriots, several of whom including pianist Julian Joseph and singer Cleveland Watkiss would themselves go on to achieve international status. It was also around this time that Mark was to get his first high profile work, touring through 1986-7 with the then upcoming jazz star Courtney Pine. This was his springboard to opportunities at the highest level and it wasn't long before musicians were talking about this remarkable drummer with terrific technical ability, a remarkable ear and enormous musicality. By 1995 Mark was playing with both John McLaughlin and John's old friend Jeff Beck and so Mark's credentials as a World class drummer were established, epitomised by his image being featured on the front cover of Rhythm magazine in April 1997 with the caption "The Greatest Drummer In The World?". Since that time, as well as work with McLaughlin and Beck, Mark's enormously varied cv includes some of the finest musicians on the international scene - old friend Julian Joseph, Kevin Eubanks, Joe Zawinul, McCoy Tyner, Van Morrison, Chris Potter, Pee Wee Ellis, John Scofield and Todd Sharpville.
Unfortunately Mark hasn't been too well of late and is currently recovering from a serious operation, and though thankfully all is well now, he will be unable to work for some weeks yet. Therefore, his many friends have got together to put on this Benefit to help him through this difficult time. The list of artists who have already agreed to perform is a veritable who's who of the international Jazz and Groove scene and includes Julian Joseph, Cleveland Watkiss, Jason Rebello, Michael Mondesir (Mark's brother - Billy Cobham, Jeff Beck, Pee Wee Ellis) and Mo Pleasure (Earth Wind & Fire) plus Blues singer/guitarist Todd Sharpville. This promises to be a remarkable night of music in support of one of the most respected musicians on the UK scene so do come down, hear some fantastic music and contribute to a really worthy cause…all in one night! Booking recommended.