Mark Robertson-Tessi

I write acoustic instrumentals drawing on a wide variety of styles including Newgrass, Irish, Classical, Rock, Ambient, and more.

I started playing piano at the age of seven, and also studied violin and french horn as a youth. In high school, I was a member of a Jazz ensemble, and played for many Jazz groups during my college years while I earned a degree in audio recording. I've played many musical styles and instruments along the way, including mandolin, guitar, banjo, bouzouki, violin, bass and piano. Currently I play in two bands out of Tucson, AZ. I play guitar, bouzouki and mandolin with Round the House, a traditional Irish group. And I play mandolin and guitar with The String Figures, a newgrass trio. Some contests and awards: Top 5 in the National Mandolin Championships in Winfield, Kansas. Two-time winner of the Four Corner States Mandolin Championship in Wickenburg, AZ. High-points champion at the Tucson Irish Music Competition on mandolin and tenor banjo. Four times TAMMIE award winner for Best Multi-Instrumentalist/String Player in Tucson from the Tucson Weekly. I write progressive acoustic music, drawing on many different influences. My writing is somewhat influenced by baroque and Spanish harmony, modal melody, and energetic rhythmic elements. Mostly I like to have a good time while jamming with other musicians. If you are ever in Tucson, drop me a line.

Yes, Southwest USA

Influences, in no particular order: Michael Holmes, David Peters, John Doyle, Bireli Lagrene, James Nash, Elizabeth Fraser, Martin Taylor, Osvaldo Pugliese, Miles Davis, Andy Irvine, Rhys Fulber, John Frusciante, Whit Smith, Mícháel Ó Domhnaill, Andre Arpino, Adrian Utley, Donogh Hennessy, Neko Case, Geoff Keezer, Mark Francombe, Frederic Chopin, Joe Liddy, Herbie Hancock, Ciaran Tourish, Dave Navarro, Martin Hayes, David Grisman, Martin Barre, John Pizzarelli, Seamus Egan, John Cowan, Tom Morello, Terry Woods, Harvey Mason, Randal Bays, Henryk Gorecki, Joao Gilberto, Katie O'Brien, Django Reinhardt, Nathan Milstein, Oscar Moore, Neil Young, Robin Guthrie, Ed Reavy, Grant Marshall, Anibal Troilo, Beth Gibbons, Stan Getz, Johann Sebastian Bach, Cathy Jordan, Jimmy Page, Charles Mingus, Darol Anger, Steve Reich, Karen Matheson, Mark O'Connor, Chris Thile, Craig Irving, Russell Malone, Clodagh Warnock, Alison Shaw, Karl Heinz Stockhausen, Brian McDonagh, Mark Knopfler, Tommy Peoples, Astor Piazzolla, Mike Ratledge, Tommy Peoples, Bill Leeb, Horace Silver, Winifred Horan, Samuel Beam, Maurice Ravel, Dennis Cahill, Neil Young, Jaques Loussier, Barthelemy Attisso, Grainne Hambly, Jim Hall, Dave Grohl, Sam Bush, Perry Farrell, Karen Tweed, Noel Hogan, Tony Rice, Thelonius Monk

Breedlove, Guarnierius, Kennaquhair, DeArmond, Ampeg

Let me know if you like what you hear.