Role

:

Composer Conductor

 

Mark O'Leary is a renowned Irish guitarist and composer who has made a significant contribution to the world of contemporary jazz and improvised music. Born on July 7, 1966, in Cork, Ireland, O'Leary grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from an early age. His father was a traditional Irish musician, and his mother was a classical pianist. O'Leary started playing the guitar at the age of 13 and quickly developed a passion for the instrument. O'Leary's early musical influences were diverse, ranging from rock and blues to jazz and classical music. He was particularly drawn to the music of Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin, and Pat Metheny, and spent countless hours practicing and studying their techniques. O'Leary also studied classical guitar with renowned Irish guitarist John Feeley and later with Spanish guitarist Ricardo Iznaola. In 1990, O'Leary moved to New York City to study at the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a Master's degree in Jazz Performance. During his time in New York, O'Leary had the opportunity to study with some of the most respected jazz musicians of the time, including John Abercrombie, Jim Hall, and Mick Goodrick. He also began performing regularly in the city's vibrant jazz scene, playing with musicians such as drummer Paul Motian and saxophonist Dave Liebman. After completing his studies, O'Leary returned to Ireland and began to establish himself as a leading figure in the country's jazz and improvised music scene. He formed his own trio, which included bassist Dan Bodwell and drummer Tom Rainey, and released his debut album, "The Northern Lights," in 1995. The album received critical acclaim and established O'Leary as a talented and innovative guitarist. Over the next few years, O'Leary continued to perform and record extensively, both as a solo artist and with various ensembles. He collaborated with musicians such as drummer Paul Wertico, saxophonist Uri Caine, and bassist Mark Helias, and released several highly regarded albums, including "The Mind's I" (1998), "On the Shore" (2000), and "The Illusion of Truth" (2002). In 2003, O'Leary formed a new trio with bassist Eivind Opsvik and drummer Jeff Davis, and released the album "Spheres" the following year. The album was a departure from O'Leary's earlier work, featuring a more experimental and avant-garde sound. It received widespread critical acclaim and was hailed as one of the best jazz albums of the year. In 2006, O'Leary released "The Call," a collaboration with Norwegian saxophonist and composer Ståle Storløkken. The album was a departure from O'Leary's earlier work, featuring a more atmospheric and ambient sound. It received critical acclaim and was nominated for the Norwegian Grammy Award for Best Jazz Album. In 2008, O'Leary released "Waiting," a collaboration with American saxophonist and composer Jeff Albert. The album featured a more traditional jazz sound, with O'Leary and Albert trading solos over a swinging rhythm section. It received critical acclaim and was hailed as one of the best jazz albums of the year. In addition to his work as a performer and composer, O'Leary is also a respected educator. He has taught at the Cork School of Music and the Newpark Music Centre in Dublin, and has conducted workshops and masterclasses throughout Europe and the United States. Throughout his career, O'Leary has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the world of jazz and improvised music.

More....