Mark Ledford
American musician (1960–2004)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mark Ledford (March 10, 1960 – November 1, 2004) was an American trumpeter, singer, and guitarist. He was known for his multi-instrumentalism and his membership in the Pat Metheny Group.[1]
Music career
Ledford grew up in Detroit and attended Berklee College of Music between 1978 and 1982.[2] After he graduated, he took a job in advertising while doing session work with Stephanie Mills, Jon Hendricks, Special EFX, Michael Brecker, Kevin Eubanks, Don Byron, Living Colour, Prince, and Bill Evans.[3][4] He would later contribute to the soundtracks for the Spike Lee films Mo' Better Blues and Do the Right Thing.[5]
In 1986, he began a working relationship with Pat Metheny, appearing live with the Pat Metheny Group and on numerous recordings, including the Grammy award winning albums Secret Story and Still Life (Talking).[6] He worked with Bobby McFerrin's a cappella group, Circle, and he played in Joe Locke's Storytelling Band.[7]
Between 1990 and 1992, Ledford taught master classes in trumpet at the Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada.[8] In 1998, he released a solo album, Miles 2 Go, a tribute to Miles Davis.[9]
On November 1, 2004, Ledford died of heart failure in Los Angeles.[1]
Discography
With Uri Caine
With Faith Evans
- Faith (Bad Boy, 1995)
With Joe Locke
- Longing (Timeless, 1990)
- Storytelling (Sirocco, 2001)
With Pat Metheny Group
- Still Life (Talking) (Geffen, 1987)
- We Live Here (Geffen, 1995)
- Imaginary Day (Warner Bros., 1997)
With Pat Metheny
- Secret Story (Geffen, 1992)
With The Rippingtons
- Black Diamond (Windham Hill, 1997)
With Special EFX
- Global Village (GRP, 1992)
With Eliane Elias
- A Long Story (Manhattan, 1991)