Jazz Articles about Mark Elf

Mark Elf: Swingin'

by AAJ Staff
February 1, 2001

As a one-man production and marketing organization, it's a wonder that Mark Elf finds the time to write music, practice, perform and record.But he does. And he does it very well indeed.Releasing a CD a year on his own Jen Bay Records label, Elf graces listeners once again, this time with an appropriately titled recording called Swinging'. “Swing" he can, and “swing" he does. Playing with clearly defined bop lines on “Blowin' For The Cohen's" as ...

Mark Elf: Mark Elf Live at Small's

by C. Michael Bailey
December 1, 2000

Guitar Slinger. Mark Elf last came my way with the very fine New York Cats in 1999. He returns with the equally strong Jen Bay release Live At Small's. On Live At Small's, Elf proves that he is a most excellent Bebop guitarist and that jazz is inherently best when played live. His recital is loose and frenetic, his tone round and unadorned as he winds his way through six standards and two originals.

Elf appropriately opens this set with ...

Mark Elf: Over The Airwaves

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

Jazz guitarist Mark Elf celebrates jazz radio on the aptly titled, Over The Airwaves which coincides with his overall success as a jazz musician who is afforded the luxury of having his CDs played...”over the airwaves”. Yet reality dictates that Elf is a fine guitarist who possesses imposing technique and acute sensibilities or in ordinary terms, - The guy is a bona fide virtuoso!

Here, Elf is in fine form while receiving some exemplary assistance from the top-notch and thoroughly ...

Mark Elf: New York Cats

by C. Michael Bailey
April 1, 1999

Boplicity. New York Cats is guitarist Mark Elf's fourth release on his Jen Bay record label. His 1997 release, Trickynometry, was number one on Gavin's Jazz Chart for 4 weeks, a feat one would expect this new disc to repeat or better. In a break from past practice, Elf does not include any major label musicians as guests on this disc, choosing instead to use only musicians he regularly performs with. The result is a relaxed, trio-driven set of standards ...