University of Virginia Library

Mark-Almond...
Visual Music

"I like to see our music in the same terms as film," sasy Jon
Mark. "We hope to achieve pictures and colors, impressions. We
try to be very visual with our music; it seems easy to see films put
around our music and vice-versa."

Jonny Almond and Jon Mark, co-leaders of the Mark-Almond
band appearing at University Hall on Sunday, first played
together when they were both members of the John Mayall band
which produced Turning Point. It was not only a turning point
for the Mayall band, but for Mssrs. Mark and Almond, who
found a common musical ground.

Before that, Jon Mark had worked with Marianne Faithful and
the Rolling Stones, among others. Along with Mick Jagger, he
produced Marianne's early albums. During those two years with
Marianne, he wrote many compositions for her, as well as
accompanying her on the road. Jon, who writes much of the
music for Mark-Almond plays lead guitar and sings.

Johnny-Almond, meanwhile, had established himself as one of
England's top session men, playing with practically every major
English band which required a saxophone in the mid-60s. A
fluent and versatile musician, Almond plays baritone, tenor, alto
and soprano saxophone, as well as bass, alto and concert flute and
vibes on the group's first Columbia recording, Rising.

"The first album for Columbia covers a wide range of music,"
said Mark. "Among other things, it is much more accessible than
our earlier music. We are playing for ourselves, but we are also
playing for the audience."

Rounding out the band are Dannie Richmond (drums), Ken
Craddock (keyboards), Colin Gibson (bass) and Geoff Condon
(horns). Richmond, who has been with the band for two years,
spent nine years with Charles Mingus before moving to
Mark-Almond. A winner of numerous jazz polis, Dannie is the
only American in the group (the rest are English). Like Almond,
Geoff Condon became an important session player in England.
Colin and Ken, recent additions to the band, were previously with
Ginger Baker in Air Force.

Tickets are $2.50 in advance and $3.00 at the door. They are
available at the usual places.