Album Notes

"Every great once in a while a musician comes along who can make an instrument speak in tongues." - Deseret News. In demand as a session musician, touring artist and workshop leader, Mark is an outstanding player of the `ukulele and the Hawaiian slack key guitar. His "Learn To Play Fingerstyle Solo's for `Ukulele" (Mel Bay Publications) has introduced thousands to the joys of playing fun, complex music on the instrument.

Mark co-produces the Aloha Music Camp in Hawai`i along with Hawaii's beloved Beamer Family. Aunty Nona gave him the name Kailana, which means "floating gently on the surface of the sea" - not a bad description of the sound of his `ukulele and slack key guitar.

But Mark also has another side. He hosts "The `Ukulele Happy, Hour," a free-form jam session that brings together some of the country's top musicians fool around on the uke. He's been known to strap on a Strat to front such obscure bands as Los Viagras and the Tex Pistols.

Mark has performed just about anywhere – from Barrow to Boston; Sligo to San Diego. He's shared the stage with performers as diverse as Grover Washington, Jr.: Norton Buffalo; Doc Watson, and the Skagway Girls Jr. Varsity basketball team. He once worked as a banjo playing gorilla in Dublin, but that's another story...