# Mark McLean

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For the American politician from New Hampshire, see [Mark McLean (politician)](/source/Mark_McLean_(politician)).

**Mark McLean** (born February 5, 1975) is a Canadian musician, drummer, composer, lyricist and [studio musician](/source/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"[1] in part because he can coax organic sounds out of any drum kit. McLean is musically multilingual: [jazz](/source/Jazz), [rhythm and blues](/source/Rhythm_and_blues), [funk](/source/Funk), pop or any genre required for the song.[2]

McLean's great uncle, [Cy McLean](/source/Cy_McLean) was one of the first black band leaders in Canada. His brother Lester McLean[3] is an accomplished saxophonist and vocalist in the [Toronto](/source/Toronto) jazz and [RnB](/source/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](/source/Oscar_Peterson).[4]

McLean graduated with honors from The [University of Toronto](/source/University_of_Toronto)[5] with a bachelor's in performance in jazz. In his third year faculty member [Don Thompson](/source/Don_Thompson_(musician)) 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.[6] That summer McLean taught at Canada's Interprovincial Music Camp (jazz). He was also the jazz director at [Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute](/source/Sir_John_A._Macdonald_Collegiate_Institute) while taking his undergraduate degree.

McLean's recording and touring highlights include [George Michael](/source/George_Michael),[7] [Gladys Knight](/source/Gladys_Knight), [Joe Sample](/source/Joe_Sample),[2] [Jamie Cullum](/source/Jamie_Cullum), [Andy Bey](/source/Andy_Bey), [Molly Johnson](/source/Molly_Johnson), [Peter Cincotti](/source/Peter_Cincotti), [Andrea Bocelli](/source/Andrea_Bocelli), [Serena Ryder](/source/Serena_Ryder), [Catherine Russell](/source/Catherine_Russell_(singer)), [Jane Bunnett](/source/Jane_Bunnett), [Billy Joel](/source/Billy_Joel), [Dionne Warwick](/source/Dionne_Warwick) and [Michael Kaeshammer](/source/Michael_Kaeshammer).

McLean has two movie appearances: Drummer in Peter Cincotti band in *Spider-Man 2* (uncredited) and *Peter Cincotti: Live in New York*[8] (credited).

McLean is endorsed by [Regal Tip](/source/Regaltip)[9] Mallets and Brushes, [Zildjian](/source/Avedis_Zildjian_Company) Sticks and Cymbals,[10] [Remo drum heads](/source/Remo)[11] and [Yamaha Drums](/source/Yamaha_Drums).[12]

## New York

McLean moved to New York City in 1999 following receipt of a grant awarded him by the [Canada Council for the Arts](/source/Canada_Council). Initially, McLean wanted to study with drummer, [Brian Blade](/source/Brian_Blade). Although he did not teach, Blade[2] 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](/source/Kenny_Washington_(musician)). Blade said to McLean "this is who you should study with." McLean studied with [Kenny Washington](/source/Kenny_Washington_(musician)) for a year followed by an additional year with drummer [Billy Kilson](/source/Billy_Kilson). After that McLean decided to stay for future opportunities in New York. Singer and pianist [Andy Bey](/source/Andy_Bey) was the first to call, then [Dewey Redman](/source/Dewey_Redman).

## Work with other artists

McLean has worked with many of jazz masters and pop icons, including [Wynton Marsalis](/source/Wynton_Marsalis), [Michael Feinstein](/source/Michael_Feinstein), [Billy Joel](/source/Billy_Joel), [Quincy Jones](/source/Quincy_Jones), [Gladys Knight](/source/Gladys_Knight), [Diana Krall](/source/Diana_Krall), [Glen Campbell](/source/Glen_Campbell), [Carla Cook](/source/Carla_Cook), [Linda Eder](/source/Linda_Eder), [Jimmy Webb](/source/Jimmy_Webb), [Vanessa Williams](/source/Vanessa_Williams), [Patti Austin](/source/Patti_Austin), the [Backstreet Boys](/source/Backstreet_Boys) and producer [Phil Ramone](/source/Phil_Ramone). He also served as arranger[13] on [Molly Johnson](/source/Molly_Johnson)'s 2009 Juno-award-winning album Lucky, and was co-arranger[14] on [Sophie Milman](/source/Sophie_Milman)'s 2009 release *Take Love Easy*, while continuing to tour and record as a member of [George Michael](/source/George_Michael)'s band.

Producer [Phil Ramone](/source/Phil_Ramone) following a recording session with [Billy Joel](/source/Billy_Joel) remarked: "Mark McLean is a tasty, sure handed drummer, a song man’s musician."[10] [Andy Bey](/source/Andy_Bey) described McLean as "an intelligent, immensely talented young musician with a curious mind and a listening ear."[10]

## Albums

Year Album Description 2017 It Feels Alright Selections from Feel Alright re-imagined by artists and DJ's 2013 Feel Alright All tunes written by Mark McLean, eclectic album featuring 7 vocalists 2010 Playground All compositions written by Mark Mclean (except one) 2008 Dinner Party – Piano Jazz Jazz Standards

## Reviews and awards

Year Type Event 2012 Feature Feature: Mark McLean & Lea Mullen Rhythm magazine, written by Rich Chamberlain 2012 Review Toronto Jazz Festival Globe & Mail 2010 Feature Drums Etc magazine T. Bruce Wittet 2009 Award Juno Award for Jazz Album of the Year Luck – Molly Johnson 2008 Review National Arts Centre, Ottawa All About Jazz 2006 Review Toronto International Dance Festival Live Music Report 2005 Nomination Grammy, Best Jazz Vocal Album American Song, Andy Bey 2005 Review The Sound of a Really Different Drummer Mark Miller[15] 2003 Award Socan[16] Awards Another Day, Molly Johnson, Mark McLean 2003 Nomination Traditional Jazz Album Juno Awards of 2003

## Session work

Year Artist Album 2016 Catherine Russell Harlem on My Mind 2016 Leslie Odom Jr. Simply Christmas 2015 Morgan James Holiday Singles 2015 Jann Arden A Jann Arden Christmas 2015 Melissa Errico What About Today? – Live at 54 Below 2015 Tia Brazda Bandshell 2014 Morgan James Hunter 2014 Rotem Sivan Trio For Emotional Use Only 2014 Laura Cole Dirty Cheat 2014 George Michael Symphonica 2014 Catherine Russell Bring It Back 2013 Carline Ray Vocal Sides 2013 Michael Kaeshammer With You in Mind 2013 Carline Ray Vocal Sides 2012 Dionne Warwick Now: A Celebratory 50th Anniversary Album 2012 Catherine Russell Strictly Romancin' 2011 Molly Johnson The Molly Johnson Songbook 2011 Michael Kaeshammer Kaeshammer 2011 Lester McLean 4-3-2-1 2010 Kelly Jefferson Next Exit 2010 David Goldman Light in the Tunnel 2010 Shannon Butcher Little Hearts 2010 Marian Petrescu Thrivin' – Live at The Jazz Standard 2010 Lester McLean Just a Taste 2010 Andy Creegan Andiwork III 2009 The Count Basie Orchestra Swinging, Swinging, Playing 2009 Michael Kaeshammer Lovelight 2009 Hilary Kole Haunted Heart 2009 Sophie Millman Take Love Easy 2009 Jamie Cullum The Pursuit 2008 Chantal Chamberland The Other Woman 2008 Lamont Jeffreys Christmas Dinner 2008 Funky People Feel the Funk 2008 Shannon Butcher The Words We Both Could Say 2008 Molly Johnson Lucky 2008 Pete Coulman Band TV Tunes 2008 Billy Stritch Billy Stritch Sings Mel Torme 2008 DK Ibomeka I'm Your Man 2007 Andrew Craig The Gospel Christmas Project 2007 Billy Joel All My Life 2007 Autorickshaw So the Journey Goes 2007 Howard Fishman Bob Dylan & The Band's "Basement Tapes", Live at Joe's Pub 2006 Molly Johnson Messin' Around 2006 Serena Ryder If Your Memory Serves You Well 2006 Gladys Knight Before Me 2006 Susan Cagle The Subway Recordings 2005 Lester McLean Trio Best Foot Forward 2005 Kelly Jefferson Quartet Spark 2005 Linda Eder By Myself 2005 Mike Evan I'll Bring the Stereo 2004 Andy Creegan Andiwork II 2004 Andy Bey American Song 2004 Anne Mette Iversen Pá den anden side/On the Other Side 2004 Jane Bunnett Red Dragonfly 2004 Peter Cincotti On the Moon 2004 Various Artists Voices of Concord Jazz 2003 Peter Cincotti My Favorite Time of Year 2003 Syreeta Neal Stand Tall 2002 Howard Fishman Quartet Do What I Want 2002 Jane Bunnett Spirituals and Dedications 2002 Molly Johnson Another Day 2002 The Colour of Soul 100% Concentrate 2002 Wade O. Brown Complete 2001 Kalabash Kalabash 2001 Molly Johnson Molly Johnson 2000 Shannon Brooks A Taste of Life 2000 Tracey Wilkins I Wish I Knew 2000 Wade O. Brown Solid Soul 1999 Benjamin Davill Benjamin Davill's Wild West Show 1999 Janice Freedman Triptych 1999 The Colour of Soul Texatronic 1998 Divine Earth Essence Groove Essentials V.2 1998 Mantini Sisters Moments to Remember 1998 Paul Tobey Wayward 1998 The Colour of Soul Live@525 1997 Andy Creegan Andiwork 1997 Dawn Sierra A Little Rain Must Fall 1997 Don Thompson Banff Jazz All Stars 1997 Tara MacLean If You See Me

## References

1. Craig, Andrew (June 2010). ["Liner Notes, Playground"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130715033010/http://www.markmclean.com/discography/album/mark-mcleans-playground-playground). Archived from [the original](http://www.markmclean.com/discography/album/mark-mcleans-playground-playground) on July 15, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.

1. Wittet, T. Bruce (October 2010). ["All Basses Covered"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131115094326/http://drumsetc.ca/v22-n5/). *Drums Etc*. Archived from [the original](http://drumsetc.ca/v22-n5/) on November 15, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2013.

1. ["Lester McLean Web Site"](http://www.lestermclean.com/)

1. Miller, Mark (September 27, 1997). "arts reviewer". *Globe & Mail*

1. ["University of Toronto Alumni"](http://www.music.utoronto.ca/alumni.htm)

1. ["University of Toronto Faculty of Music Highlights of the Jazz Program"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130528174337/http://www.music.utoronto.ca/programs/jazz/Highlights_jazz.htm). Jazz Report Magazine. Archived from [the original](http://www.music.utoronto.ca/programs/jazz/Highlights_jazz.htm) on May 28, 2013.

1. ["Mark Mclean and Lea Mullen's George Michael drum and percussion setup in pictures"](http://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/mark-mclean-and-lea-mullens-george-michael-drum-and-percussion-setup-in-pictures-569580/1). *Rhythm Magazine December 2012 Issue*. January 15, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2013.

1. ["Internet Movie Database"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1114263/?ref_=fn_al_nm_6a). *[IMDb](/source/IMDb)*

1. ["Mark McLean | Featured Artist"](http://www.regaltip.com/artist-roster/featured-artists-roster/mark-mclean). Regal Tip Mallets and Brushes.

1. ["Mark McLean Artist Page"](http://zildjian.com/Artists/M/Mark-McLean). Zildjian Artists.

1. ["Remo – Artists"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140509045356/http://www.remo.com/portal/artists/index.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.remo.com/portal/artists/index.html) on May 9, 2014.

1. ["Mark McLean – Yamaha – Canada"](http://ca.yamaha.com/en/artists/drums/mark_mclean/). Yamaha Artists.

1. ["Molly Johnson Web Site"](https://web.archive.org/web/20091110134012/http://www.mollyjohnson.com/lucky.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.mollyjohnson.com/lucky.html) on 2009-11-10.

1. ["CD Universe product description"](http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7934635&style=music&fulldesc=T)

1. Miller, Mark (January 6, 2005). ["The Sound of a Really Different Drummer"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120601011518/http://www.markmclean.com/press/article.cfm?articleID=13). *Globe and Mail*. Archived from [the original](http://markmclean.com/press/article.cfm?articleID=13) on June 1, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2013.

1. ["SOCAN Honours Molly Johnson, Mark McLean, Corey Hart with #1 Awards"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120601011538/http://www.markmclean.com/press/article.cfm?articleID=3). November 14, 2003. Archived from [the original](http://markmclean.com/press/article.cfm?articleID=3) on June 1, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2013.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mark McLean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_McLean) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_McLean?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.