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Mark Lipson

composer, percussionist, EDUCATOR, PRODUCER

Mark Lipson is the founding member of the Detroit Composers’ Collective. His journey to creating the organization began in the late 1970s when he played in a group that brought him together with euphonium player and composer Brad Felt. At the time, the young musicians and friends had no idea they were sowing the seeds for what would grow into a mission to preserve the magnificent musical legacy borne out of Detroit’s jazz community. Nearly half a century later, Brad’s compositions would be among the first to be featured on a DCC project.

Mark’s calling as founder of DCC stems from the distinctive background of experience he brings to the organization. In addition to being an accomplished composer and musician in his own right, Mark also has a background in ethnomusicology studies, as well as a 30-year career as a social worker. As a producer and arranger on DCC projects, he brings more than his experience and understanding of the work from the perspective of a musician – he also brings a scholarly insight and humanistic examination of the historical significance of the music and its creators.

Mentored by some of Detroit’s most acclaimed jazz artists, including Marcus Belgrave, Harold McKinney, Sam Sanders and Wendell Harrison, Mark is an accomplished drummer/percussionist who’s been studying and playing jazz for more than five decades. He’s also a music writer whose Detroit-based artist profiles have included articles on guitarist/film composer Joe LoDuca, prolifically-recorded drummer J.C. Heard and master bebop pianist Charles Boles.

Mark’s passion for DCC’s mission is driven by his love and appreciation for Detroit composers and their music. After 50 years, he’s never been more committed to ensuring that the musical expression of Detroit’s jazz community is kept alive. Through his work with DCC, he’s dedicated to creating opportunities for artists to transmit their knowledge, stories and skill from one generation to the next.

Articles by Mark Lipson

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