I thought I'd just mention a few things about the music here on my profile...
"Stand up!" is the new track I'm dedicating to the Obama campaign. The video which is here below, was put together by Farmani, who is the Spoken Word Artist on the track. The song was written by myself, Lina Marquez and Farmani. It features Chaka Khan on vocals, who I had the pleasure of working with for many years. Her voice is unmistakable. Dennis Chambers is on drums, Alex Al on bass, Kevin Chokan on guitar, Lenny Castro on percussion, Walt fowler on trumpet and Lynne Fiddmont, Fred White and Lamont van Hook did the backing vocals. Chaka did her own backup vocals as well in sections.
"Sseesamirembe" was the genesis for the concept of "The dream of the peaceful warrior". I was inspired by a news story brought to my attention, about a city being built dedicated to peace. The name in Swahili literally means "city of peace". A dream come true on this record was getting to work with one of my first musical heroes Andrae Crouch, as he and his group "the Andrae Crouch singers" went above and beyond the call of duty to really hook up this track. To me, especially noteworthy are the ad-libs by Tata Vega, Kristle Murden and Andrae. The talk-box section ain't bad either....Steve Ferrone is on drums, Melvin Lee Davis on bass, Ray Fuller on guitar, Munyungo on percussion. The horn section is Dan Fornero and Walt fowler trumpets, Albert Wing and Steve Tavaglione on saxes and Bruce Fowler on trombone. Howard McCrary, Linda McCrary and myself did the vocal arranging.
"Groovejunkie" is also on this, my first record. The title comes from a quote from Donald Fagen I read in the newspaper. A journalist was trying to dig up some dirt from their past or something and Donald said something like "well, we just like to think of ourselves as groovejunkies now"....it obviously resonated with me as Donald Fagen and Steely Dan are a major influence on me. It features some incredible 4 string and fretless bass playing by Marcus Miller. Walt Fowler takes the trumpet solo and Karen Bernod is the star on vocals. Michael White is on drums, Paulinho da Costa on percussion and a horn section featuring Dan Fornero and Walt Fowler on trumpets, Steve Tavaglione and Albert Wing on saxes and Bruce Fowler on trombone
"Vision Quest" is going on my second more jazz oriented record which is as yet untitled....it features the late great Michael Brecker on a great tenor sax solo and also Vinnie Colaiuta plays a great drum solo at the end of the song.Melvin Lee Davis plays the bass again and Luis Conte and Chris Trujillo are on percussion. Suzanne Morrisette rounds out the band on vibes.
"The light of love" features the vocal group Take 6. It is a dedication to my parents. It was written when I was touring with Take 6 and it's a real dream come true to finally get all the guys on this...besides the members of Take 6 on vocals, Munyungo plays percussion and I have the synth solo honors.
"Apaixonado" is a Brazilian love song, also going on the 2nd record. Rogerio Jardim sings the sultry vocals and also wrote the Portuguese lyrics. Kevin Ricard and Munyungo Jackson did the percussion arrangement and Melvin Lee Davis plays the upright bass...
"To the Mountaintop" is a dedication to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr....it comes from a famous line in one of his specches that says "I've been to the Mountaintop". I got to work with my old friend Boney James as he produced this track. In fact the whole first record is dedicated to the cause of Peace and the heroes of Peace that have inspired me....namely Dr. King, Nelson Mandela (who I had the opportunity to meet) and Mahatma Gandhi....these are the Peaceful Warriors I am referring to...Little John Roberts is on drums, Larry Kimpel on bass, Luis Conte on percusssion, Eric Walls on guitar and Boney and Walt Fowler do the horn section duties.
"Peaceful Warrior" features Jonathan Butler on vocals throughout and especially at the ride out at the end of the song....Rayford Griffin is on drums, Paulinho da Costa is on percussion, Sekou Bunch on Bass, Ray Fuller on guitar and Rogerio jardim on backing vocals...
Dark Secrets features Gary Novak on drums, Melvin Lee Davis on bass, Ray Fuller on guitar, Albert Wing on tenor sax and Walt Fowler on trumpet. Rogerio Jardim lends his sultry vocals once again.
"Truce" is going on the 2nd record. It features Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Melvin Lee Davis on bass, Paul Jackson Jr. on guitar, Chris Trujillo on percussion and yours truly plays the piano solo....
Stand Up! by Mark Stephens featuring Chaka Khan - $1.99
Mark Stephens 'The Dream of the Peaceful Warrior' - $14.99
"Brazilian Love Affair" by George Duke Live @ the 1999 Montreux Jazz Festival. It features Gabriela Anders on vocals, Larry Kimpel on bass, Jef Lee Johnson on guitar, Ric Jordan on drums, Lenny Castro on percussion and yours truly (Mark Stephens) on 2nd keys and taking the last solo.
"Total Experience" by Boney James featuring Mark Stephens...Sam Sims on Bass, Omari Williams on Drums and Rob "the fonksta" Bacon on Guitar
Stand Up! by Mark Stephens featuring Chaka Khan and Farmani
Here is a performance with Josh Groban of "To Where you are" on the British TV show "Loose Women" in December '08
Buy Now and join in the fight to take back America!
here is Chaka @ the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1993....we had so much fun!!.....she is in rare form here too...
Here is another song from the first record called "Dark Secrets" recorded live with Vinnie Colaiuta, Melvin Lee Davis and Andy Winer. Gary Novak plays on the record version...
Hey Thanks for the friendship, I truly appreciate it! I’m getting ready to play as much as possible in the US. Feel free to check out my band profile (see below), download free MP3s from my brandnew debut album or even become a fan! :)) Blessings, Vlada http://www.facebook.com/pages/VLADA/13506957663 PS: You can download the album on iTunes or order the Limited Second Edition CD here: www.vladamusic.com.
Mark, Thanks for the "hook up"....the concert at Verizon was one of the best in my memory. Your playing was amazing. Meeting you was such an honor. Aaron
Man, you crazy crazy piano man! Always blow my mind brotha! Wanted to stop by and say WHAT UP CU! haha Gonna have to kick it soon man. oldschool! -Ryan G
Thankyou so much for adding me, is always great to be in contac with so talented people. By the way I add two of your music to one of my playlist. Blessings!!!!
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