Mark Lessman - San Diego Saxophonist
The saxophone is the closest thing to the human voice there is by my estimation and I never lose my enthusiasm for playing this magical instrument. I am inspired by great saxophonists from the present back to the greats of the 50's onward including John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon up to Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Michael Brecker and many more. I play the tenor and soprano saxes as well as the flute and the EWI (electronic wind instrument).
To be informed of where I am performing, I send out an occasional email. There's a sign up for that to the right or at the bottom of the page.
“There’s plenty of Stan Getz in his airy tone and lyric style, but, to his credit, Lessman pushes beyond these Getz trademarks. By blending elements of music from slick-sounding Southern California, where he used to live, with a grittier influence of musical Chicago, where he’s now based, Lessman produces a worthy style of his own”.
Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune
note: I lived in Chicago at the time of this review but am back in San Diego now.
A Little medley of clips from a CD produced by Mike Peed for the late Ki Holcomb and a Fattburger tune called Mr. C
Upcoming Gigs
Saturday, Sept 5th Grant Grill, downtown San Diego 7:00 to 10:00
Duo with Mike Peed. website
It's a great room but we don't get a lot of locals so how about if you come there and tell us why that might be. You can be casual or dressy, nobody seems to care. The sax is very fun to play in this room. Live but not too live.
Sunday, September 6th and 20th with the Art Olson Trio
Mr Peabody's 6:00 to 10:00 Encinitas website
A great hang in an old style bar. The later part of the night is where the jazz community comes with their instruments and we carry on.
Saturday, Oct 10th Grant Grill, downtown San Diego 7:00 to 10:00
Duo with Mike Peed. website
Friday, October 16th at Ki's Restaurant in Cardiff 7:00 to 9:00
Trio with Rob Whitlock and Duncan Moore website
Maybe even make a reservation. Killer food and
ocean view and seriously nice people running this joint!
Sunday, October 18th - Cardiff-by-the-sea Music and Arts Salon
Basically, a house concert. 6 performance groups over 2.5 hours. For my part, I will play with Rob Whitlock on the Steinway grand piano. website
Saturday, Nov 21st - Joni Mitchell's "HEJIRA" featuring Robin Adler & Mutts of the Planet
SEAS performance stage 2664 Vista Pacific Dr, Oceanside, CA
website Facebook Page
Robin Adler - lead vocal
Dave Blackburn & Jamie Kime - guitars
Barnaby Finch - keyboards
Kevin Hennessy - bass
Duncan Moore - drums
Barry Cahill & Mark Lessman - sax and flute
Mo Mullins, Lisa Hightower, Sarah Kay - backing vocals
Dear Mark,
I want to thank you for a wonderful performance this weekend. I always appreciate working with professional band leaders that are poised to exceed my clients expectations. To quote my client, "The Mark Lessman group was a perfect compliment to the essence of the evening...just right.".
Thank you again.
Suzy Swissler
Sales Manager
Quantum Productions Inc.
More music can be heard HERE