Mark Helias

One of the most accomplished bass players of his time, Mark Helias has enjoyed long musical associations with Anthony Braxton, Marty Ehrlich, Oliver Lake, Dewey Redman, and BassDrumBone with Ray Anderson and Gerry Hemingway. He’s released 10 albums since 1984, including the new CD Atomic Clock (Radio Legs). A prolific composer, Helias has composed music for two feature films as well as chamber pieces, and works for large ensemble and big band. His trio, Open Loose, with saxophonist Tony Malaby and drummer Tom Rainey, has become an archetypal improvising ensemble on the New York scene. Mark performs solo bass concerts and can also be heard in the innovative bass duo the Marks Brothers with fellow bassist Mark Dresser. A committed educator, Helias is co-artistic director (with Marilyn Crispell) at VCMI (Vancouver Creative Music Institute), June 17–25.