Mark McLean


Mark McLean is a Canadian musician, drummer, composer, lyricist and studio musician. McLean lives and works primarily in New York. He has released three albums under his own name. The first showcases his arrangements of jazz standards while his later albums are original material. His very early influence was his father's record collection, which included every genre: from Johann Sebastian Bach to James Brown. McLean is becoming known as the "drum whisperer" in part because he can coax organic sounds out any drum kit. McLean is musically multilingual: jazz, rhythm and blues, funk, pop or any genre required for the song.
McLean's great uncle, Cy McLean was one of the first black band leaders in Canada. His brother Lester McLean is an accomplished saxophonist and vocalist in the Toronto jazz and RnB scene.
McLean began his career at age nine as a gifted classical pianist, but by age 14 had started a second career playing the drums. By the time he was 18, the drums eclipsed the piano as McLean's voice for musical expression and the age of 22 he was playing with fellow Canadian and jazz icon, Oscar Peterson.
McLean graduated with honors from The University of Toronto with a bachelor's in performance in jazz. In his third year faculty member Don Thompson invited him to play on the first of the more than 70 recordings on which McLean appears. He was also named "Post-secondary Musician of the Year" by the Jazz Report Magazine in 1998. That summer McLean taught at Canada's Interprovincial Music Camp. He was also the jazz director at Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute while taking his undergraduate degree.
McLean's recording and touring highlights include George Michael, Gladys Knight, Joe Sample, Jamie Cullum, Andy Bey, Molly Johnson, Peter Cincotti, Andrea Bocelli, Serena Ryder, Catherine Russell, Jane Bunnett, Billy Joel, Dionne Warwick and Michael Kaeshammer.
McLean has two movie appearances: Drummer in Peter Cincotti band in Spider-Man 2 and Peter Cincotti: Live in New York.
McLean is endorsed by Regal Tip Mallets and Brushes, Zildjian Sticks and Cymbals, Remo drum heads and Yamaha Drums.

New York

McLean moved to New York City in 1999 following receipt of a grant awarded him by the Canada Council for the Arts. Initially, McLean wanted to study with his idol, world-renowned drummer, Brian Blade. Although he did not teach, Blade mentored McLean by allowing him to observe his performances. He even helped him shop for a drum kit and as luck would have it, they walked into Drummer's World on 46th street in Manhattan and met jazz drummer, archivist and radio personality, Kenny Washington. Blade said to McLean "this is who you should study with." McLean studied with Kenny Washington for a year followed by an additional year with drummer Billy Kilson. After that McLean decided to stay for future opportunities in New York. Singer and pianist Andy Bey was the first to call, then Dewey Redman.

Work with other artists

McLean has worked with many of jazz masters and pop icons, including Wynton Marsalis, Michael Feinstein, Billy Joel, Quincy Jones, Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, Glen Campbell, Carla Cook, Linda Eder, Jimmy Webb, Vanessa Williams, Patti Austin, the Backstreet Boys and producer Phil Ramone. He also served as arranger on Molly Johnson's 2009 Juno-award-winning album Lucky, and was co-arranger on Sophie Milman's 2009 release Take Love Easy, while continuing to tour and record as a member of George Michael's band.
Producer Phil Ramone following a recording session with Billy Joel remarked: "Mark McLean is a tasty, sure handed drummer, a song man’s musician." Andy Bey described McLean as "an intelligent, immensely talented young musician with a curious mind and a listening ear."

Albums

YearAlbumDescription
2017It Feels AlrightSelections from Feel Alright re-imagined by artists and DJ's
2013Feel AlrightAll tunes written by Mark McLean, eclectic album featuring 7 vocalists
2010PlaygroundAll compositions written by Mark Mclean
2008Dinner Party – Piano JazzJazz Standards

Reviews and awards

YearTypeEvent
2012FeatureFeature: Mark McLean & Lea MullenRhythm magazine, written by Rich Chamberlain
2012ReviewToronto Jazz FestivalGlobe & Mail
2010FeatureDrums Etc magazineT. Bruce Wittet
2009AwardJuno Award for Jazz Album of the YearLuck – Molly Johnson
2008ReviewNational Arts Centre, OttawaAll About Jazz
2006ReviewToronto International Dance FestivalLive Music Report
2005NominationGrammy, Best Jazz Vocal AlbumAmerican Song, Andy Bey
2005ReviewThe Sound of a Really Different DrummerMark Miller
2003AwardSocan AwardsAnother Day, Molly Johnson, Mark McLean
2003NominationTraditional Jazz AlbumJuno Awards of 2003

Session work

YearArtistAlbum
2016Catherine RussellHarlem on My Mind
2016Leslie Odom Jr.Simply Christmas
2015Morgan JamesHoliday Singles
2015Jann ArdenA Jann Arden Christmas
2015Melissa ErricoWhat About Today? – Live at 54 Below
2015Tia BrazdaBandshell
2014Morgan JamesHunter
2014Rotem Sivan TrioFor Emotional Use Only
2014Laura ColeDirty Cheat
2014George MichaelSymphonica
2014Catherine RussellBring It Back
2013Carline RayVocal Sides
2013Michael KaeshammerWith You in Mind
2013Carline RayVocal Sides
2012Dionne WarwickNow: A Celebratory 50th Anniversary Album
2012Catherine RussellStrictly Romancin'
2011Molly JohnsonThe Molly Johnson Songbook
2011Michael KaeshammerKaeshammer
2011Lester McLean4-3-2-1
2010Kelly JeffersonNext Exit
2010David GoldmanLight in the Tunnel
2010Shannon ButcherLittle Hearts
2010Marian PetrescuThrivin' – Live at The Jazz Standard
2010Lester McLeanJust a Taste
2010Andy CreeganAndiwork III
2009The Count Basie OrchestraSwinging, Swinging, Playing
2009Michael KaeshammerLovelight
2009Hilary KoleHaunted Heart
2009Sophie MillmanTake Love Easy
2009Jamie CullumThe Pursuit
2008Chantal ChamberlandThe Other Woman
2008Lamont JeffreysChristmas Dinner
2008Funky PeopleFeel the Funk
2008Shannon ButcherThe Words We Both Could Say
2008Molly JohnsonLucky
2008Pete Coulman BandTV Tunes
2008Billy StritchBilly Stritch Sings Mel Torme
2008DK IbomekaI'm Your Man
2007Andrew CraigThe Gospel Christmas Project
2007Billy JoelAll My Life
2007AutorickshawSo the Journey Goes
2007Howard FishmanBob Dylan & The Band's "Basement Tapes", Live at Joe's Pub
2006Molly JohnsonMessin' Around
2006Serena RyderIf Your Memory Serves You Well
2006Gladys KnightBefore Me
2006Susan CagleThe Subway Recordings
2005Lester McLean TrioBest Foot Forward
2005Kelly Jefferson QuartetSpark
2005Linda EderBy Myself
2005Mike EvanI'll Bring the Stereo
2004Andy CreeganAndiwork II
2004Andy BeyAmerican Song
2004Anne Mette IversenPá den anden side/On the Other Side
2004Jane BunnettRed Dragonfly
2004Peter CincottiOn the Moon
2004Various ArtistsVoices of Concord Jazz
2003Peter CincottiMy Favorite Time of Year
2003Syreeta NealStand Tall
2002Howard Fishman QuartetDo What I Want
2002Jane BunnettSpirituals and Dedications
2002Molly JohnsonAnother Day
2002The Colour of Soul100% Concentrate
2002Wade O. BrownComplete
2001KalabashKalabash
2001Molly JohnsonMolly Johnson
2000Shannon BrooksA Taste of Life
2000Tracey WilkinsI Wish I Knew
2000Wade O. BrownSolid Soul
1999Benjamin DavillBenjamin Davill's Wild West Show
1999Janice FreedmanTriptych
1999The Colour of SoulTexatronic
1998Divine Earth EssenceGroove Essentials V.2
1998Mantini SistersMoments to Remember
1998Paul TobeyWayward
1998The Colour of SoulLive@525
1997Andy CreeganAndiwork
1997Dawn SierraA Little Rain Must Fall
1997Don ThompsonBanff Jazz All Stars
1997Tara MacLeanIf You See Me