Mark Ledford

Mark Ledford
BornMarch 1960
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
DiedNovember 1, 2004(2004-11-01) (aged 43–44)
Los Angeles, California
GenresJazz, R&B, pop-rap, hip hop
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, record producer, audio engineer
Instrument(s)Trumpet, guitar
Years active1982–1998

Mark Ledford (March 10, 1960 – November 1, 2004) was an American trumpeter, singer, and guitarist. He was known for his multi-instrumentalism and his membership in the Pat Metheny Group.[1]

Music career

Ledford grew up in Detroit and attended Berklee College of Music between 1978 and 1982.[2] After he graduated, he took a job in advertising while doing session work with Stephanie Mills, Jon Hendricks, Special EFX, Michael Brecker, Kevin Eubanks, Don Byron, Living Colour, Prince, and Bill Evans.[3][4] He would later contribute to the soundtracks for the Spike Lee films Mo' Better Blues and Do the Right Thing.[5]

In 1986, he began a working relationship with Pat Metheny, appearing live with the Pat Metheny Group and on numerous recordings, including the Grammy award winning albums Secret Story and Still Life (Talking).[6] He worked with Bobby McFerrin's a cappella group, Circle, and he played in Joe Locke's Storytelling Band.[7]

Between 1990 and 1992, Ledford taught master classes in trumpet at the Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada.[8] In 1998, he released a solo album, Miles 2 Go, a tribute to Miles Davis.[9]

On November 1, 2004, Ledford died of heart failure in Los Angeles.[1]

Discography

With Uri Caine

With Faith Evans

With Joe Locke

  • Longing (Timeless, 1990)
  • Storytelling (Sirocco, 2001)

With Pat Metheny Group

With Pat Metheny

With The Rippingtons

With Special EFX

  • Global Village (GRP, 1992)

With Eliane Elias

References

  1. ^ a b "The Dead Rock Stars Club - 2004 July to December". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Final Cadence | Berklee". www.berklee.edu. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  3. ^ Jazz, All About (2004-11-04). "Jazz news: Singer Mark Ledford Passes". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  4. ^ "Mark Ledford". Discogs. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  5. ^ "Noteworthy Alumni in the Field of Music: Mark Ledford '78". www.missourimilitaryacademy.org. 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  6. ^ "Smooth Jazz Vibes: Longtime Pat Metheny Group Member Dies After Heart Attack". Smoothvibes.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  7. ^ Joe Locke - Storytelling, 2001, retrieved 2023-10-11
  8. ^ "Music | Banff Centre". Banffcentre.ca. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  9. ^ Mark Ledford - Miles 2 Go, 1998, retrieved 2023-10-11