Bio
Band Bios
Mark Merella is a musician whose versatility on both drum set and hand percussion has made him an in demand player for live, studio and educational settings.
During his career Mark has worked with a wide variety of artists in the jazz and Latin music fields including Herbie Hancock, Randy Brecker, Steve Turre, Rene McLean, Hilton Ruiz, Joe Ford and percussion legend Candido Camero. Mark has also worked with the groups Rumba Club, Mambo Combo, Ala Carte Brass & Percussion and Latin Grammy winners Afro-Bop Alliance. As part of Havana Select he played for Celia Cruz’s induction into the Smithsonian and 1997’s Black Music Conference in Chicago. Mark also performed with master drummers Julito Collazo and Steve Berrios as part of a symposium on Afro-Cuban music in Washington, D.C. On the R&B circuit Mark has worked with The Flamingos, Bo Diddley, Phil Flowers, Jr. Cline and The Recliners and Mary Wilson of the Supremes.
As a freelance musician Mark has played at many embassies, the White House, the Kennedy Center and also appears in the critically acclaimed film “Syriana”. Mark was also commissioned to compose a piece for Jane Franklin Dance that premiered March 1st, 2003. In February 2007 Mark toured with the Duende Quartet as part of Jazz At Lincoln Center’s “Rhythm Road” project and played concerts in Turkey, Cyprus and Eastern Europe. A second tour followed in 2009 with concerts and masterclasses in India, Bangladesh, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
In April of 2023 Mark participated in the worldwide concert event for International Jazz Day performing with Herbie Hancock, Ben Williams, Walter Smith III and Ambrose Akinmusire.
An avid educator, Mark has presented many clinics and master classes and teaches drum set and Latin percussion at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Multi-instrumentalist/composer Matt Belzer has a diverse musical life. In addition to his numerous creative projects, he is a very active freelance musician, regularly performing on woodwinds at the Kennedy Center, the Library of Congress, and numerous theaters and concert halls in the region. As a result, he has performed with numerous artists including Smokey Robinson, CeeLo Green, Jewel, Chaka Khan, Barry Manilow, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Bernadette Peters, and Vanessa Hudgens.
His compositions are published on Advance Music and UNC Jazz Press. He has been honored by Downbeat magazine, the Jazz Composers Alliance and the Maryland State Arts Council. Most recently, he has completed a commission for the flute section of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band.
He is the Director of Jazz Studies at UMBC where he directs the jazz ensemble, teaches the jazz courses, teaches saxophone, and collaborates with faculty and students.
Bassist Larry Melton performs in a wide range of musical settings. Adept at both acoustic and electric bass he is an in demand player on the Baltimore/Washington music scene. Larry is a founding member of the jazz fusion group Permanent Vacation, a band that recorded two albums and gained notoriety among musicians.
Also knowledgeable about Latin bass styles he has performed with the groups Sin Miedo and Mambo Combo. Larry has recorded with world renowned vocalist Eva Cassidy, including on her critically acclaimed “Songbird” CD. Larry also works with Eva’s brother Dan in the Dan Cassidy Swing Quartet and has performed with him in England.
As a freelance musician Larry has worked with The Geckos, The Jarflys, guitarist Todd Bauchspies and many others. An avid photographer Larry has presented shows of his work as well as done promo and album photos for many local musicians.
