Author: Mark

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“¡Yo Soy Dominicanisimo!”

On Thursday, August 24, 2023 I had the privilege of performing some pre-ceremony music for the 2023 Premios Dominicanisimo  – a gala event highlighting the hard work and success of the Dominican diaspora around the world.  The event was held at the Doubletree hotel in Danvers, MA and featured many distinguished guests including Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Essex County DA Paul Tucker, State Senator Pavel Payano and Consul for the Dominican Republic in New England, the honorable Enrique Garcia.

Latinos make up nearly 12% of the population in Massachusetts and a full 20% of those hail originally from the Dominican Republic.

View from the Piano
The nice folks at Brinda la Vida caught me warming up.

My small contribution included playing some “wandering sax” while guests made their entrances on the Pink Carpet followed by a cocktail piano set during dinner.  It was a thrilling night that I am grateful that I had a chance to be a part of. Special kudos go to Santiago Matias who created and organized this amazing event.

Can’t wait for next year!

Gov. Maura Healey could not attend in person but sent greetings via video message.
Founder and organizer Santiago Matias
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Happy Lunar New Year!

Earlier this month I had the honor of performing in the Town of Andover’s Chinese New Years Show, produced by the Chinese American Association of the Andovers. My contribution was a medley of popular Chinese melodies from the 1950’s to the 2020’s arranged in a jazz style.

Program Cover
Artist Profile
Order of Performance

This medley consisted of Yao Lee’s 1956 hit “The Spring Breeze Kisses My Face”, Wang Qi’s 2020 hit “The Shepherd of Keketuohai” and the main title theme from the popular 1980’s crime drama “Shanghai Bund”:

State Rep Tram Nguyen (D-18th Essex) snaps a selfie with yours truly and Ann Ormond, Business and Culture Development director for the town of Andover.

This was a wonderful night of music, dance and culture and I am so glad I had the chance to participate in it!

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I made the Shop Dine the Andovers blog (again)

Well this was a pleasant surprise. My downtown busking apparently attracted the attention of the Shop Dine the Andovers blog! This is actually the 2nd time I’ve been featured in this local guide to what’s hot and happening in Andover and North Andover. I am truly blessed to live in a community that has so much creative energy going on. Click the link above to read the full post.

https://shopdinetheandovers.com/andovers-got-talent-spotlight-on-community-art-music-a-celebrity-chef/
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Thanks for coming out!

Thanks to everyone who came on Thursday night to enjoy an evening of live music in downtown Andover. It was a perfect night weather wise and it was great to meet and talk with everyone! Special thanks to Ann Ormand for the opportunity to be a part of this summer music series

Check out @andoverdowntown on instagram for more.

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Andover Summer Jams Appearence: July 7, 2022

I’m excited to be part of the 2022 Andover Summer Jams Series! I will be perfoming as Andover Sax Guy in front of Old Town Hall in Andover Thursday, July 7 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Come out and grab a outdoor table at La Fina or Pazzo, or simply grab some ice cream a J.P. Licks and have a seat on one of the benches to enjoy some jazz, blues, bossa nova and American Songbook tunes. See you there!

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