Mark Diamond & Dave Hanson

About

Mark Diamond - Bassist Mark Diamond’s deep, grooving acoustic bass sound has its roots in the New York area, where he mastered an array of musical styles. In 1980, he moved to Colorado with the band Arabesque and quickly became a sought-after sideman, contributing to over 100 albums, including those of Grammy-winner Tim O’Brien, Mollie O’Brien, Sally Taylor, James Van Buren with Richie Cole, Keith Oxman, Mary Flower, and Mary Ann Moore. Mark’s talent has taken him from performances for luminaries, including President Bill Clinton, to tours across Europe and regular appearances at festivals and clubs nationwide. He has collaborated with legendary artists such as Earl Klugh, Nnenna Freelon, Spike Robinson, Richie Cole, James Moody, Ernestine Anderson, Ben Sidran, Peter Rowan, Kenny Loggins, Henry Butler, Fred Wesley, Buddy Tate, Bruno Carr, Eddie Kirkland, Mark Hummel, and New York jazz vocalists Allan Harris and Tom Lellis. Mark has also opened for renowned acts like B.B. King, Kenny Rogers, Wilson Pickett, Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, and Junior Wells. Known for his dedication, versatility, and warm personality, Mark consistently brings top-quality music to every setting, enriching the experience for all who listen. Dave Hanson is an arranger, composer, and pianist who has written for a diverse range of artists and ensembles, including Paul Winter with the Boston Pops, Pops Orchestra concerts with the Pittsburg, Houston, Milwaukee, Colorado, and New Jersey Symphony Orchestras, Denver Brass, and Boulder Brass, and is the Pianist/Co-leader and Arranger/Composer of the H2 Big Band, doing all the arrangements for the “You’re It” and “It Could Happen” recordings, as well as Al Hood’s Chamber Orchestra “Just a Little Taste, and “Jazz Muses” recordings. “Pulls out all the stops and is surely one of the most exhilarating big bands in recent history”: from an International Trumpet Guild review. The H2 Big Band has soared in the Jazz Radio charts with a series of recordings, and has been featured in supportive and collaborative roles with Darius Rucker, Veronica Swift, Rene Marie, Take 6, Jon Faddis, Kevin Mahogany, Curtis Stigers, Clint Holmes, and Allan Harris. Dave is recently retired from thirty-six years of teaching in the Jazz and Commercial Music Department at the Lamont School of Music, University of Denver. His music is published by Kakeda Music Publishing/ASCAP, Denver Brass Publications, and Boulder Brass Publications.