Markus Van Such predicts melodic & soulful contemporary jazz with its first release, A Change in the Weather, exposing the brilliant sax, flute and violin work of David Van Such (Jennifer Holliday, Sam and Dave, Howard Hewitt, Shalamar) to the provocative

12 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Smooth Jazz, JAZZ: Jazz Vocals



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The Story of Markus Van Such by HC Markus

No one knew... at least until I asked my dad if I could sing the tune he and mom had been working up for their show. So when I belted out "It's Almost Like Being in Love" at age three, the folks figured I was some sort of genius or something. They got all excited, and I guess their enthusiasm sort of warmed me up inside, 'cause I was seriously hooked on music from that day forward.

The clarinet was my good friend for the challenging years of junior high, but as I simultaneously discovered polyphony and the strange ways of the high school marching band, I gravitated away from the licorice stick and immersed myself in the piano. Unfortunately, by this time my parents no longer felt I was as brilliant as they had first believed. But I could not be stopped and, as the years passed, I developed my own style on the keys, a unique brand of syncopation... call it "Markus Funkus"... that propels things right along. And it propelled me into the world of music production and composition.

Through the course of my musical career, I've enjoyed some great opportunities. I composed and produced "Right Place, Right Time" the Tony Gwynn 3000 hit tribute for the Gwynns, the first family of San Diego baseball. I co-produced and composed the "Exodus - Join the Movement" CD, a fantastic spiritual rap project. I've had the pleasure of working with Randi Driscol , Tripp Sprague, Patrick Moraz, Larry Groupé, Arthur Mitchum and T.I.E., Josquin des Pres and many other fine artists in San Diego and Los Angeles. My compositions are heard in numerous productions and commercials, from "Wild About Animals", "My Classic Car", and "ESPN Sports" to "Access Hollywood", "National Enquirer Television", the Seattle Seahawks post-game show and "Biography."

Years of listening to my father's renditions of standards from the 30's and 40's infused in me a deep love for the sound of jazz. And so, despite my continuing exploration of music in almost every style, I found myself drawn to the satisfying complexities of this true American art form. When I returned to jazz, it was with a broad background of experience ranging from rock, hip hop, classical and pop production to musical theater, concerts, clubs and parties. And I was fortunate to meet a musician of the highest caliber, a performer who's own skills compliment mine in a very satisfying way, when I was ready to revisit the music I was raised with.

David Van Such sat in with the band I was working with at the time. The gig was outside, I think it was a real estate office grand opening or something of similar stature. And here came David. A quiet guy. Certainly not outspoken, at least until he took out his horn and put the saxophone to his lips. And then, oh my! He played with an intensity and emotion that I had never before experienced. Though we had just met, we were able to do things musically that had me feeling like I was playing with an old friend. David has toured with top acts including Sam and Dave, Howard Hewitt, Shalamar and Jennifer Holliday. I have to confess I was more than a little awed by the man, but as time went on, we began to explore some of my compositions with great results. The voice of David Van Such- his saxophone, violin and flute- has now become my own, bringing my songs to others with the soulful expression that flows uniquely from his musical mind.

In producing our debut CD, "A Change in the Weather," David and I strove to present a blend of musical styles that would offer our listeners more than they could ever get from a typical release. We have strong feelings about our music, and seek to convey our emotions and opinions through our work. We wanted to take our listeners on a journey each time they cued up "A Change in the Weather."

The journey continues with our 2002 release, titled "Sweet Bites." It features great smooth jazz, with styles drawn from latin to hip-hop, performed with a commitment to strong melodic and harmonic development. Take a taste of "Sweet Bites"... with your appetite whetted, you're sure to be hungry for more!

Markus Van Such
PO Box 501242 San Diego CA 92150-1242
hcmarkus@cox.net