Mark Kleinhaut has been playing jazz guitar for over twenty years, starting with formal studies at Rutgers University (B.A. 1979) under the direction of the late Ted Dunbar. He has also studied privately in NYC with Jack Wilkins and participated in numerous master classes, including sessions with guitarists Pat Martino, Jim Hall, and pianist Hal Galper. Mark is adjunct faculty at University of Southern Maine where he teaches guitar and improvisation techniques.
Since locating to Maine in 1988, Mark has become well known locally for his distinctive sound and his work with the area's top jazz musicians is highly regarded. He has appeared with Jerry Bergonzi, Brad Terry, Scott Reeves, Steve Grover, Sheyvonne Wright (Black Entertainment Television's 1997 Jazz vocalist of the year) and many others.
As leader of the Mark Kleinhaut Trio, with bassist Jim Lyden and drummer Mark Macksoud, he and the trio have performed a repertoire of his original jazz compositions in a wide variety of venues and concert series ranging from the Keybank Maine Jazz Festival in Portland Maine to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City. The trio keeps a busy performance schedule year-round with regular monthly appearances at Portland's Mazza Bar and David's Creative Cuisine as well as numerous private engagements.
Recording credits:
- Mark Kleinhaut Trio with Tiger Okoshi, Chasing Tales (2002)
- Mark Kleinhaut Trio, Secrets of Three (2000)
- Mark Kleinhaut, Amphora (1999 debut as composer)
- Sam Sherry, We'll See (1999)
- Jennifer Porter, Hyacinth Boy Blue (1998)
- Jazzin' Maine Christmas (1995)
- Tracey MacLean and Friends, Live at Crickets (1994)
