5/10 Mark Shilansky duo with Nick Grondin

Mark Shilansky, piano & vocals
Nick Grondin, guitar

BIO:

Mark Shilansky's musical journey began in his hometown of Concord, New Hampshire, where he started writing songs as early as elementary school and performing in original rock bands and jazz groups. He went on to receive a BA in Music Performance from the University of New Hampshire in 1992, studying with renowned jazz artists like Clark Terry, Phil Woods, and Jimmy Heath. Shilansky then earned a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory in 1994, working with teachers such as Bevan Manson, Paul Bley, and John McNeil.

In the mid-1990s, Shilansky moved to New York City to immerse himself in the vibrant music scene, before returning to become an Assistant Professor at Berklee College of Music and teach at his alma mater, the University of New Hampshire. His debut album, "First Look," a piano trio recording, was released in 1997. Shilansky then shifted his artistic direction, incorporating singer-songwriter influences on his 2000 release "Different Songs," before returning to a more jazz-focused sound on "Other Voices" in 2003.

Shilansky's versatility as a musician is evident in his subsequent releases, such as the "21st Century Space-Age Bachelor Pad Music" of "Join the Club" (2007) and the blend of jazz, bluegrass, and Celtic music on "Fugue Mill" (2014). Throughout his creative career as a pianist and composer, Shilansky has also been an in-demand sideman, accompanying vocalists like Luciana Souza, Lisa Thorson, and Kim Nazarian, as well as instrumentalists such as guitarist Steve Kirby and trumpeter Kenny Wheeler. Additionally, Shilansky has worked as a producer and arranger for a growing list of artists, including singer-songwriters and jazz musicians.