Mark Vee

J Mark Vee

?J? Review Illinois Entertainer May 2002 page 55 While listening to the multi-talented Mark Vavra's latest recording ?J?, one word comes to mind: variety. The beginning song encompass jazz elements with long lead-ins by Vavra on keyboards,. Soon, though, al alternative edge can be found (?Take?), where Vavra shows listeners just how versatile he can be, playing guitar, keyboards and piano while singing. His lyrics are constant explorations of love, life and losing control (?Cluster F**k?), managing to ask questions we all have. A great collection by a songwriter who appears sometimes solo and sometimes with his band. (MusicTherapyGroup@Yahoo.com) -J.S.C. Mark entices the listeners with a rock music foundation combined with jazz cool and swing. He's been around the block on guitar, but hasn't returned yet? He also doubles on piano / keyboards for textures and inner spaces. His songs cover a wide variety of topics from YoYo's to Social Political events of noteworthiness. There's a twinge Arthur Javnovian confrontation mixed with pure empathy for the lesser human element in the subjects of his songs. These lyrics are woven within polyphonic chord clusters with unconventional pivot note key changes, twisting your anticipation of conventional rock n' roll progressions towards a newer jazz way. Mark is a singer songwriter who appears either solo or with his versatile band. Mark performs most of the tunes live like the recorded material, but with a little more edge. The live show is fast paced and very energetic with both folk based tunes and rock music. Mark has hosted Chicago Songwriter's Collective Songwiters in the Round, open Mics as well as Saturday Evening Songwriters Showcases at coffeehouses, bookstores and better drinking establishments in the Chicago area. Mark is active in live on-site recording, as well as helping others with arrangements and part-singing. He is known for high-energy additions to stage shows and harmonica bends at the right moments. Don't miss Mark Vee and his 'SoundVision' band. They will cause you to think about what's happening on this planet a bit differently after you've experienced the show!