Jazz Articles about Mark Elf

Mark Elf: Mark Elf Returns 2014

by Dan Bilawsky
September 23, 2014

Nothing can stop guitarist Mark Elf from making music. He's battled serious health problems, contended with the ups and downs of the music industry for decades, and, most recently, dealt with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the massive storm that flooded his home, delaying the recording of this record for a year. In spite of all of those setbacks and hardships, Elf still manages to have a fairly sunny musical outlook when he straps on the guitar for this, his ...

Mark Elf: Liftoff

by Michael P. Gladstone
June 23, 2006

Guitarist Mark Elf has been recording since 1986, and on Liftoff he continues to amaze. All but two of his dozen sessions have been on his own Jen Bay label. Athough Elf usually appears in a guitar/bass/drums format, he also includes piano on a few of these recordings.

Such is the case on Liftoff, where he joins pianist David Hazeltine, drummer Peter Washington, bassist Lewis Nash, and (on one track) percussionist Daniel Sadownick. Over the years, I've heard ...

Mark Elf: Liftoff

by Terrell Kent Holmes
May 31, 2006

John Coltrane's “Countdown, like Hemingway's “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place, is a brief, emotional and enduring classic. Guitarist Mark Elf makes this tune the heart of Liftoff. Elf, who played last month at Flushing Town Hall with bassist Essiet Essiet and drummer Quincy Davis, was an exuberant performer who scatted along with his solos on up-tempo tunes, played fluidly on ballads, and was humorous and engaging throughout. The challenging title cut is based on “Countdown, but it also ...

Mark Elf: Liftoff

by Jim Santella
May 30, 2006

Guitarist Mark Elf enjoys the rush of re-interpreting music by masters such as John Coltrane. He also enjoys creating fiery originals that allow him to work out on the instrument the way Trane did. It doesn't matter that one played saxophone and other plays guitar, since both artists share a deep appreciation for the creation of animated magic.

With Liftoff, Elf takes his guitar for a balanced drive that includes both up-tempo romps and sensual ballads. He loves ...

Mark Elf: Liftoff

by Jerry D'Souza
May 23, 2006

Several musicians have found their muse in John Coltrane, and Mark Elf joins the group with Liftoff. The guitarist takes the chord changes to Coltrane's “Countdown to create the title piece. Word play notwithstanding, Elf can turn a tune to his advantage. His notes are crisp, even as they zip along at feverish pace, and that is where his strength lies: there is no clutter, just a story well told. The closing alternate version, taken at a slower pace, is ...

Mark Elf: Glad To Be Back

by Terrell Kent Holmes
December 5, 2004

In light of the serious medical issues that guitarist Mark Elf has overcome recently--he had a kidney disorder and is recovering from prostate cancer--any new CD he puts out is a triumph for him and his many fans. Glad To Be Back , a crisp balance of standards and originals, is Elf's musical affirmation of life. His quartet, featuring the stellar rhythm section of pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash, performed at Smoke last month.

Mark Elf: Glad to Be Back

by Jack Bowers
October 23, 2004

"Sometimes," guitarist Mark Elf writes in the liner notes to Glad to Be Back, “it takes something really serious to make one appreciate life and what the [importance] of good health means." In Elf's case, that “something" was two major surgeries, the first for a kidney disorder in December '02, the second for prostate cancer in June '03.

Elf truly is “glad to be back," and his enthusiasm and gratitude shine through on every note on this delightful album, several ...