Mark Elf

Mark Elf, a guitarist steeped in bop traditions, has drawn notable attention through his intimate ensemble releases. After studying at Berklee from 1969 to 1971, he gained performing experience alongside leading figures in contemporary mainstream jazz such as Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Benny Golson, Al Grey, Branford Marsalis, and Slide Hampton. He also appeared on recordings by Lou Donaldson, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Wynton Marsalis, Jon Hendricks, and additional artists. Although Elf worked with Jimmy Heath’s ensemble, his strongest acclaim to date has come from albums issued on the Jen Bay Jazz imprint and from a session captured in Chile on Alerce and later issued domestically.

The Jen Bay catalog features Eternal Triangle (1988), Trickynometry (1997), and Over the Airwaves (2000). Swingin’ appeared in early 2001.