Mark Masri

Bio:

In the music business, overnight success can sometimes take a decade or two. In the case of Torontonian Mark Masri, this is true. Performing since the age of five, he has been building his career through writing music for film, television and other singers. Now, one of the hardest working men in the business is about to get his big break. American audiences have been discovering for the past two years what Canadians are about to find out: Masri’s soulful tenor is one of the finest voices of his generation, and coupled with his tall, dark and handsome appeal, he is poised for international stardom.

In addition to his incomparable vocals, Mark is a piano player, songwriter and producer. He co-wrote all but one of the original songs on LA VOCE. For the rest of the repertoire, he chose a virtuosic array of songs in six languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic. As the son of a Lebanese father and a Scottish mother, and with his ease at performing this array of international songs, he exemplifies the new face of Canada-multiculturalism at its best. Though he is winning the hearts of American audiences, it is hard to imagine an American artist who would not only posses a similar multi-lingual virtuosity, but who would choose to share a message of tolerance and acceptance through music, as Masri does in songs like “Erev shel Shoshanim”, performed in Hebrew and Arabic with Amy Sky. In this, he embodies lessons of benevolence learned from his pastor father and gospel singer mother.

In 2008, Mark was introduced to Jim Brickman, by Canadian hitmaker Amy Sky, a frequent collaborator of both artists. Brickman invited Mark to tour with him across the US in 2008 and 2009, which led to Mark being signed to Green Hill, distributed by EMI Music Canada.

While touring with Jim, Mark has treated audiences both to his renditions of Jim’s popular radio hits, but also to his spine tingling vocals on Italian art songs such as “Caruso”. The Boston Globe describes him as “…melting the hearts of female audience members like warm chocolate.”, and The Cincinnati Enquirer says “Caruso” “thrilled the audience”. Steven Reineke, one of America’s foremost Pops Orchestra conductors says: “Mark Masri is one of those rare finds with an astounding and sensuous tenor voice, wonderful poise and warm stage presence, not to mention his movie star good looks. He is one of my new favorite singers that I will work with time and time again!”

Masri also appeared as a guest vocalist on Jim Brickman’s 2009 CD FAITH, which was nominated for Best New Age Album at this year’s Grammy Awards.

2010 will see Masri continuing to appear with Brickman in the US, both live and on Jim’s PBS special BEAUTIFUL WORLD. In addition, Mark will be introduced to Canadian audiences with a series of appearances across the country, including performances in Sydney NS, during the ECMA awards weekend in March, in Montebello QC in April with Amy Sky, and at the First Canadian Place, Toronto ON on May 4th, (with special guests cello quartet Lush), for his CD release event.

With the voice of an angel, the looks of a heartthrob and the soul of an artist, Masri is poised to become Canada’s next vocal sensation!