School of Music Faculty
Dennis Marks
Associate Professor, Bass, Jazz Ensemble
Dennis Marks is considered one of the most accomplished and experienced bassists/educators on the jazz scene today. Much in demand as an accomplished musician and composer, he has toured the world many times over, most recently as the bassist playing with the legendary trumpeter Arturo Sandoval for over twenty years. Dennis Marks has also performed with other jazz luminaries including Dizzy Gillespie, Pat Metheny, Dave Liebman, Bob Mintzer, Maynard Ferguson, Houston Person, Bunky Greene, Lynne Arriale, David Sanborn, Randy Brecker, Delfeayo Marsalis, Jamison Ross, Danny Gottlieb and Ed Calle. He has appeared on six of Arturo Sandoval’s recordings, including the Grammy-Award Winning "Hot-House, and on "My Passion for the Piano," for which he wrote two of the compositions. Dennis has performed at almost every major jazz festival in the world, including the JVC Festival in New York, the Playboy Festival in L.A., and the North Sea Festival in Holland. In 2013, he played at the White House with Arturo Sandoval who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Dennis Marks recorded his debut album "Images" in 1996, containing all original compositions, receiving much critical acclaim, including articles in Billboard Magazine. In 2010 Dennis released his second album entitled “The Bickel/Marks Group Featuring Dave Liebman” on Zoho records, which also featured numerous original compositions. He regularly appears with the Kelly/Scott Quintet, featured on the 2013 CD recording, “Renditions: the Summer Sessions.” Most recently in 2023, Dennis recorded with the 14 Jazz Orchestra featuring Peter Erskine and Dan Bonsanti. Dennis also performed on the recording "Mamblue" from internationally renowned saxophonist Ed Calle, which won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Album in 2015. Dennis is the co-leader of a group called "The 老澳门资料 Generations Quartet" which recently performed at the prestigious Jazz Educator's Conference in Reno, Nevada. In 2020, Dennis appeared on the latest recording from colleague Todd DelGuidice called “Human Element.”
Dennis Marks taught music for nine years at Florida International University, two years at the University of Miami, and has been Professor of Bass at the 老澳门资料 for over 18 years. Teaching acoustic and electric bass, jazz improvisation, and jazz fundamentals, he is also the Director of the 老澳门资料 Jazz Ensemble II big band. Dennis has served frequently as a guest artist/clinician for numerous schools and in clinics that include the FMEA Conference in Tampa, Florida, and the Jazz Educators Convention. In 2023, Dennis was inducted into the Jacksonville Jazz Festival Hall of Fame. Dennis holds a B.M. in Jazz Performance and a M.M. in Studio Jazz Writing from the University of Miami.
Contact: (904) 620-3843 | dmarks@unf.edu