Kadanz Jazz

Fusing Jazz with Afro-Caribbean Music

Experience

 

Musical Experience

Mark Torgerson, guitarist and bandleader of Kadanz Jazz:

 2020 to now, working on new directions of jazz and world music:

  • With Kadanz Jazz ensemble (2021-present): Combining zouk and American jazz based music… the founder and primary arranger of the music for this ensemble. Our “fusion” sound draws on Caribbean konpa, zouk, Congolese soukous, Brazilian samba, American jazz and R&B; playing both covers and original music.
  • Continuing to perform straight jazz; e.g. at: Somerville Community Growing Center, Whale’s Jaw Cafe (Rockport MA), Arts at the Armory Cafe (Somerville, MA).

2011-2019

  • With Afrika Gente (2011-2019): Playing Afro-Cuban music, Brazilian music, Zouk music; latinized jazz standards.

1993- 2019

  • With Rumbafrica (1993-2019) –  playing lead and rhythm guitar for this award winning Soukous band; with the goal of sharing the rich diversity of African culture through performances and workshops. Performing primarily in New England and US east coast.
  • Rumbafrica shared the stage with Tito Puente (Baltimore Artscape Festival, 1997. In the 90s and early 2000s, the band routinely played at Estelle’s in Boston, opening for top Congolese soukous bands – such as Tabu Ley Rochereau, Loketo, Samba Mapangala.
  • Rumbafrica shared the stage with: Sam Mangwana (House of Blues 1997), and Angelique Kidjo (Middle East 1994). . 
  • Mark also performed with Ugandan musicians playing rumba/kidandali styles; A group from the Early 2000s lead by Julius Juuko was called the Delegates (now called Touch ‘n’ Soul). 
  • Occassion forays into West African/Malian music with various African musicians; one example was a stint with Kora master Balla Tounkara.
  • In total, playing 100’s of gigs over 25 years in African traditional and pop music. 

Prior to 1990s:

  • New Wave rock: with Science Friction (1980 to1985): Guitarist with original rock band; performed at the Boston rock clubs of the day, such as The RAT, The Channel, Jonathan Swift’s.
  • Classic big band swing music: wtih Mary Karl Dance Orchestra (1979 to 1983): A small big band style swing band playing (Mary Karl on vocals) classic popular swing music of the 1930s to 1970s.
  • Jazz performances with Boston area jazz musicians (1976 to present); playing in the local jazz clubs such as Michael’s Pub, Sunflower Cafe, 1369 in Inman Sq, Wallys on Mass. Ave, Willow Jazz Club.
  • Pop music: Traveling musician with Disco and R & B groups: (1976 to 1979); played with CL Smith, Ron Downs and The Celebration City Band; Luis Caraballo, Jimmy Clanton.

Community Service

  • Somerville Community Growing Center: (2008-present) duos for events, small band performances, organized 2021 Music in the Garden Latin Jazz series,  performances as duo, trio and quartet, one being the Mystic Jazz Trio.
  • Member of Medford Community Chorus (sing in bass section).
  • Come to the Table/Somerville Food Security Coalition: (2018-2020) Coordinated and performed (mostly straight jazz) in small ensembles for free monthly community meal, pre-COVID.

 

Honors/Awards

  • Rumbafrica won The Boston Music Awards in the category of World Music Band in 1995
  • Rumbafrica was selected as Outstanding World Music Act at the 1997 Artscape Festival in Baltimore Maryland
  • LCC Grants from Medford and Somerville Arts Council(s), 2022, 2023 and 2024

 

Recordings

  • 45 rpm record and cassette tapes, 1983, with Mary Karl Dance Orchestra
  • 45 rpm record and cassette tapes, 1981 thru 1985 with Science Friction
  • (2) CDs, “Rumbafrica” (1995) and “Nzambe” (1999)  with Rumbafrica

 

Clubs/Venues/Festivals

  • Somerville Community Growing Center Kadanz Jazz Music Series, multiple  events June-September 2021 – 2024
  • Medford Farmers Market, 2022 and 2023
  • Charlotte and William Bloomberg Medford Public Library Music Social Change concert,  July 2022
  • With Afrika Gente (lead by Cornell Coley), June 2022 Newton Open Studios; Roslindale Farmers Market (2018-2020); Ryles Jazz Club
  • Rumbafrica was a frequent  performer at Ryles Jazz Club, Johnny D’s Uptown, The Western Front (Cambridge), The Middle East (Cambridge); performing once in Washington D.C. at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
  • Recurring Rumbafrica Performances: Cambridge River Festivals; Central Square World Music Festivals; Peabody Street Fairs; Bethlehem Music Festivals, Bethlehem P.A., Baltimore Jazz Festival, Manchester N.H. Latin Music Festival, African Music Festival Boston, Providence R.I. “Waterfire”; Private Colleges throughout New England.