Mark McLean (born February 5, 1975) is a Canadian musician, drummer, composer, lyricist and studio musician. McLean lives and works primarily in New York. He has released three albums under his own name. The first showcases his arrangements of jazz standards while his later albums are original material (except one song). His very early influence was his father's record collection, which included every genre: from Johann Sebastian Bach to James Brown. McLean is becoming known as the "drum whisperer" in part because he can coax organic sounds out of any drum kit. McLean is musically multilingual: jazz, rhythm and blues, funk, pop or any genre required for the song.

McLean's great uncle, Cy McLean was one of the first black band leaders in Canada. His brother Lester McLean is an accomplished saxophonist and vocalist in the Toronto jazz and RnB scene.

McLean began his career at age nine as a gifted classical pianist, but by age 14 had started a second career playing the drums. By the time he was 18, the drums eclipsed the piano as McLean's voice for musical expression and the age of 22 he was playing with fellow Canadian and jazz icon, Oscar Peterson.

McLean graduated with honors from The University of Toronto with a bachelor's in performance in jazz. In his third year faculty member Don Thompson invited him to play on the first of the more than 70 recordings on which McLean appears. He was also named "Post-secondary Musician of the Year" by the Jazz Report Magazine in 1998. That summer McLean taught at Canada's Interprovincial Music Camp (jazz). He was also the jazz director at Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute while taking his undergraduate degree.

McLean's recording and touring highlights include George Michael, Gladys Knight, Joe Sample, Jamie Cullum, Andy Bey, Molly Johnson, Peter Cincotti, Andrea Bocelli, Serena Ryder, Catherine Russell, Jane Bunnett, Billy Joel, Dionne Warwick and Michael Kaeshammer.

McLean has two movie appearances: Drummer in Peter Cincotti band in Spider-Man 2 (uncredited) and Peter Cincotti: Live in New York (credited).

McLean is endorsed by Regal Tip Mallets and Brushes, Zildjian Sticks and Cymbals, Remo drum heads and Yamaha Drums.

New York

McLean moved to New York City in 1999 following receipt of a grant awarded him by the Canada Council for the Arts. Initially, McLean wanted to study with drummer, Brian Blade. Although he did not teach, Blade mentored McLean by allowing him to observe his performances. He even helped him shop for a drum kit and as luck would have it, they walked into Drummer's World on 46th street in Manhattan and met jazz drummer, archivist and radio personality, Kenny Washington. Blade said to McLean "this is who you should study with." McLean studied with Kenny Washington for a year followed by an additional year with drummer Billy Kilson. After that McLean decided to stay for future opportunities in New York. Singer and pianist Andy Bey was the first to call, then Dewey Redman.

Work with other artists

McLean has worked with many of jazz masters and pop icons, including Wynton Marsalis, Michael Feinstein, Billy Joel, Quincy Jones, Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, Glen Campbell, Carla Cook, Linda Eder, Jimmy Webb, Vanessa Williams, Patti Austin, the Backstreet Boys and producer Phil Ramone. He also served as arranger on Molly Johnson's 2009 Juno-award-winning album Lucky, and was co-arranger on Sophie Milman's 2009 release Take Love Easy, while continuing to tour and record as a member of George Michael's band.

Producer Phil Ramone following a recording session with Billy Joel remarked: "Mark McLean is a tasty, sure handed drummer, a song man’s musician." Andy Bey described McLean as "an intelligent, immensely talented young musician with a curious mind and a listening ear."

Albums

YearAlbumDescription2017It Feels AlrightSelections from Feel Alright re-imagined by artists and DJ's2013Feel AlrightAll tunes written by Mark McLean, eclectic album featuring 7 vocalists2010PlaygroundAll compositions written by Mark Mclean (except one)2008Dinner Party – Piano JazzJazz Standards

Reviews and awards

YearTypeEvent2012FeatureFeature: Mark McLean & Lea MullenRhythm magazine, written by Rich Chamberlain2012ReviewToronto Jazz FestivalGlobe & Mail2010FeatureDrums Etc magazineT. Bruce Wittet2009AwardJuno Award for Jazz Album of the YearLuck – Molly Johnson2008ReviewNational Arts Centre, OttawaAll About Jazz2006ReviewToronto International Dance FestivalLive Music Report2005NominationGrammy, Best Jazz Vocal AlbumAmerican Song, Andy Bey2005ReviewThe Sound of a Really Different DrummerMark Miller 2003AwardSocan AwardsAnother Day, Molly Johnson, Mark McLean2003NominationTraditional Jazz AlbumJuno Awards of 2003

Session work

YearArtistAlbum2016 Catherine RussellHarlem on My Mind2016Leslie Odom Jr.Simply Christmas2015Morgan JamesHoliday Singles2015Jann ArdenA Jann Arden Christmas2015Melissa ErricoWhat About Today? – Live at 54 Below2015Tia BrazdaBandshell2014Morgan JamesHunter2014Rotem Sivan TrioFor Emotional Use Only2014Laura ColeDirty Cheat2014George MichaelSymphonica2014Catherine RussellBring It Back2013Carline RayVocal Sides2013Michael KaeshammerWith You in Mind2013Carline RayVocal Sides2012Dionne WarwickNow: A Celebratory 50th Anniversary Album2012Catherine RussellStrictly Romancin'2011Molly JohnsonThe Molly Johnson Songbook2011Michael KaeshammerKaeshammer2011Lester McLean4-3-2-12010Kelly JeffersonNext Exit2010David GoldmanLight in the Tunnel2010Shannon ButcherLittle Hearts2010Marian PetrescuThrivin' – Live at The Jazz Standard2010Lester McLeanJust a Taste2010Andy CreeganAndiwork III2009The Count Basie OrchestraSwinging, Swinging, Playing2009Michael KaeshammerLovelight2009Hilary KoleHaunted Heart2009Sophie MillmanTake Love Easy2009Jamie CullumThe Pursuit2008Chantal ChamberlandThe Other Woman2008Lamont Jeffreys Christmas Dinner2008Funky PeopleFeel the Funk2008Shannon ButcherThe Words We Both Could Say2008Molly JohnsonLucky2008Pete Coulman BandTV Tunes2008Billy StritchBilly Stritch Sings Mel Torme2008DK IbomekaI'm Your Man2007Andrew CraigThe Gospel Christmas Project2007Billy JoelAll My Life2007AutorickshawSo the Journey Goes2007Howard FishmanBob Dylan & The Band's "Basement Tapes", Live at Joe's Pub2006Molly JohnsonMessin' Around2006Serena RyderIf Your Memory Serves You Well2006Gladys KnightBefore Me2006Susan CagleThe Subway Recordings2005Lester McLean TrioBest Foot Forward2005Kelly Jefferson QuartetSpark2005Linda EderBy Myself2005Mike EvanI'll Bring the Stereo2004Andy CreeganAndiwork II2004Andy BeyAmerican Song2004Anne Mette IversenPá den anden side/On the Other Side2004Jane BunnettRed Dragonfly2004Peter CincottiOn the Moon2004Various ArtistsVoices of Concord Jazz2003Peter CincottiMy Favorite Time of Year2003Syreeta NealStand Tall2002Howard Fishman QuartetDo What I Want2002Jane BunnettSpirituals and Dedications2002Molly JohnsonAnother Day2002The Colour of Soul100% Concentrate2002Wade O. BrownComplete2001KalabashKalabash2001Molly JohnsonMolly Johnson2000Shannon BrooksA Taste of Life2000Tracey WilkinsI Wish I Knew2000Wade O. BrownSolid Soul1999Benjamin DavillBenjamin Davill's Wild West Show1999Janice FreedmanTriptych1999The Colour of SoulTexatronic1998Divine Earth EssenceGroove Essentials V.21998Mantini SistersMoments to Remember1998Paul TobeyWayward1998The Colour of SoulLive@5251997Andy CreeganAndiwork1997Dawn SierraA Little Rain Must Fall1997Don ThompsonBanff Jazz All Stars1997Tara MacLeanIf You See Me

References