Jazz Articles about Mark Whitecage

Mark Whitecage: Free Music with Purpose

by John Kelman
April 16, 2004

Now in his mid-sixties, saxophonist/clarinetist Mark Whitecage has seen jazz through almost all its periods, most noticeably from being the popular music of the day to its current regrettable state as a niche style. And with an all-encompassing interest, he has played it all. Starting at an early age he played in his father's various bands. “My first instrument," says Whitecage, “was a curved soprano; I was six years old and I couldn't fit anything else. I wanted to be ...

Mark Whitecage: Ducks on Acid

by AAJ Staff
June 25, 2003

Mark Whitecage, whose preferred instruments are the alto saxophone and clarinet, has supplemented his recorded acoustic endeavors with the plugged-in variety since the '70s, though the last decade has been his most fertile period. His acoustic work has placed him in the frequent company of Dominic Duval, Jay Rosen, Joe Fonda, and Michael Jefry Stevens. His electric side has surfaced mostly on his own Acoustics label, including four trio records with Duval and Rosen.

Ducks on Acid holds true to ...

A Fireside Chat With Mark Whitecage

by AAJ Staff
January 18, 2003

When you speak to musicians on the East Coast, Mark Whitecage is mentioned. If you know nothing about Whitecage, know this, if musicians, his peers think of him as the poo, perhaps he is (the how can a billion Chinese people be wrong theory). You would never know this by reading any newspaper, which hardly knows anyone outside of Norah Jones. You would never know this by reading Rolling Stone or VIBE, which hardly knows anyone outside of Norah Jones. ...

Mark Whitecage Trio: Fractured Standards & Fairy Tales

by Glenn Astarita
January 1, 2001

The “Mark Whitecage Trio” packs a mighty punch on Fractured Standards & Fairy Tales - “Live on Tour in TOURS Vol. 1”. A limited edition release on the independent “Acoustics” label, the musicians weave noticeable elements of whimsy with subtle EFX induced treatments along with piping hot interplay and cunning improvisational speak. On the twenty-minute opener and title track, the band investigates complex rhythms amid metamorphic style grooves and sweeping undercurrents as Whitecage renders blistering lines whether performing on clarinet ...

Mark Whitecage & Eclectic Electric: Moon Blue Boggie

by Glenn Astarita
December 1, 2000

Recent releases on the independent, “Acoustics” label present the listener with a candid snapshot of the very active modern jazz, new music saxophonist/improviser Mark Whitecage as Moon Blue Boogie is perhaps one of the artist’s finest efforts to date. One of three so called, “extremely limited releases”, here “Mark Whitecage & Eclectic Electric” are caught live at New York City’s “Knitting Factory” and “Cornelia Street Cafe” venues.

No doubt Whitecage has attained a significant or easily discernible comfort zone performing ...

Mark Whitecage: Turning Point

by AAJ Staff
November 1, 2000

Improvised electronics have finally come of age. Some players simply use digital signal processing (eg. distortion, phasing, reverb) to allow them the opportunity to alter the tonality of their instruments. Others prefer to use a sampler to provide a second voice against which to improvise. The more advanced advocates of electronic improvisation perform processing, sampling, and looping in real time--making the electronic part of the performance just as 'live' and dynamic as the instrumental improv. This is thetruefusion, and only ...

Mark Whitecage: Research On the Edge

by Derek Taylor
November 1, 1999

Mark Whitecage is inching ever closer to the status of most recorded CIMP session-man. With a total of eleven dates for the label under his belt the only other musicians who usurp him in terms of prolificacy for the label are bassist Dominic Duval and percussionist Jay Rosen (who also turns up on this date!). Musically however he is the farthest thing from the old stereotype of session player. Rather than one who arrives at a gig, plays his requisite ...