Vocal Album featuring Mark's original songs, a collection of live concert cuts and bookended with great renditions of some familiar favorites - joining forces with his band "Boston Swing" Mark is confidently setting a new standard.
Mark Rasmussen, Trent Austin, Mike Lavoie & Steve Silverstein comprise the quartet for this project. Rob Pemberton & John Farrell contributed their engineering talents for the session, concert, mixing & mastering.
BIO:
What started out with vocal imitation as just a "fan of great music", has become a stylistic art form for Mark. He has convincingly taken the stage as Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, and even "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective". His musical influences are rooted in Jazz, Big Band, DooWop and 50's Rock & Roll.
The vocalists and musicians he credits with his own vocal style represent a laundry list of talent; A veritable who's who of 20th Century Popular Music, and nothing short of "eclectic". Mark has somehow emerged from the other side of this musical labyrinth with a genuine sense of himself. At the heart of him is Jazz.
"The fact that I imitated every voice I heard has been such an incredible education for me. All those voices in my head ultimately helped me find my own. I grew up loving old music and notable film characters, but hip enough to love what was current...so I've got a lot of music and influences to enjoy. The fact I get to write and perform my own music too? That's just plain cool.
"I have been blessed with an array of talents in many areas of my life, but it took me until I was about 25 to realize what I loved most...and that is 'swing'. When I sing, and when I swing, I feel like it is what I was born to do, and I take it very seriously- way beyond just my singing...I genuinely try to present an era."
"This kid sings so good, I want to punch him in the throat." - Big Band Legend, Buddy Greco
“It is great to see that good music will be carried on by such young talent” – Sonny King
"An extremely talented performer" - Tim Russert, Meet the Press
"The band members of Boston Swing may change over time, but I'm hopeful the music will remain timeless."
Awards and Appearances
Mark's Original Songs have received honor from the following organizations:
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John Lennon Song Competition - Finalist
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Internationl Song Competition - Finalist
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UNISONG International Song Contest
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BILLBOARD Song Competition - Honorable Mention
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JPFOLKS Music Awards
Mark's Recording of "Pennies From Heaven" was featured in the Las Vegas episode of "Home Team" (Starring Troy Mclain)
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