The event, organized by Carlini Group, will feature Lenny White, Victor Bailey, Carla Cook, Randy Brecker, Alex Bugnon, Joe Locke, Christos Rafalides and Jeff “Tain" Watts among others. Proceeds from this tribute will go to the family of Mark Ledford.
Mark Ledford, a quadruple threat as vocalist, trumpeter, guitarist and drummer, died of heart disease on November 1st, 2004. He was 44 years old. The bald-pated Ledford had made a name for himself in the past several years through his work with Pat Metheny, Bobby McFerrin, Mary J. Blige, Eliane Elias and other artists.
Ledford came up in Detroit, where he studied violin and trumpet and gained some notoriety as a Michael Jackson impersonator. After graduating from Berklee in 1982 he maintained a busy schedule between New York and Boston: the Sarafina! house band, advertising work, and jobs with the likes of Stephanie Mills, Jon Hendricks, Special EFX, Michael Brecker, Kevin Eubanks, Don Byron, Prince and Bill Evans. He contributed to a number of film soundtracks, including Spike Lee's Mo' Better Blues and Do the Right Thing. Ledford's interest in African music led to work with Youssou N'Dour, Hugh Masekela, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and bassist Bakithi Kumalo.
In 1986 Ledford began his sporadic association with Pat Metheny. Tracks like “Last Train Home" and “Finding and Believing" were highlighted by his remarkable vocal range. 1992's Miles 2 Go (PolyGram), Ledford's only album as a leader, showcased his trumpet technique which drew inspiration from Miles Davis's full career. More recently he had worked Bobby McFerrin's Circle, an a cappella vocal group, and vibraphonist Joe Locke's Storytelling project.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
