About Gary Marks
For a songwriter with such a distinct sound and style Gary Marks has been able to succeed in many different genres throughout his five decade career.
In the '70's Marks enjoyed success as a folk-rock-jazz artist. In the '80's and '90's he became known as one of the most unique and sophisticated rock songwriters in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Since 1973, Marks has released eleven critically acclaimed albums.
He has also written twelve novels and a number of non-fiction books on various subjects since 1988.
Gary’s first recording from 1973, Gathering, featured John Scofield, David Samuels, Michael Cochrane, and other future jazz greats. It was re-released on vinyl as a "folk-rock-jazz classic" in Europe in 2007, in Japan and Asia in 2011, and again in Europe and Asia in 2025.
Gary’s second and third albums, Upon Oanda's Wing (1977), and Thoughts of Why (1978) featured John Scofield, Paul McCandless of the band Oregon, Art Lande (ECM), Bill Douglass, and Mark Isham. Both albums were re-released in Europe, Japan and Asia in 2012 and 2013, and again in 2025.
Starting in the 1980s, Marks stopped touring. While falling out of the industry spotlight, he began writing and recording using both rock and jazz players on his privately released albums. His songs were also published by Arista, and later, Famous Music Paramount. Four of his songs were sung by recording artists Teresa Trull and Cris Williamson…. Marks opted out of all major publsihing deals by the end of the ‘80s, preferring to fully own his musical rights.
Gary Marks was born in Manhattan, N.Y. in 1950. His mother was a classical violinist who performed solo at Carnegie Hall at the age of ten. But his mom also loved R&B, rock, folk, jazz, and Motown. . . .Ray Charles, the Beatles, Dylan's first recordings, John Coltrane, and early Motown were the sounds that resonated through his house as a young boy.
In 1973, Marks self-produced Gathering after being offered free recording time at Ultra Sonic Studios in New York. He was accompanied by his band of future jazz greats, including guitarist John Scofield, pianist Michael Cochrane, and vibraphonist David Samuels. The LP was distributed internationally by J.C.O.A. (Jazz Composers’ Organization of America). He toured the US and Europe before settling down in California in 1976.
During this time, Gary introduced Scofield and Samuels to three other brilliant jazz musicians that he had met on the West Coast: Art Lande, Mark Isham, and Paul McCandless of the group, Oregon. They were all soon playing on Marks’ new recordings, Upon Oanda's Wing (1977), and Thoughts of Why (1978).
Michael Cochrane playing with Gary, 1973
John Scofield playing with Gary, 1973
Gary and Art Lande rehearsing for Santa Barbara Opera House, 1976
“. . . A flow chart of ‘Upon Oanda’s Wing’ might closely resemble some of Milton Nasciemento’s EMI albums, which still serve as a paragon for anyone trying to be equally convincing across the board, from tight vocals and arrangements, to wide open instrumental playing.”
Paul McCandless playing with Gary, 1976
In 1985, Gary’s music took a dramatic stylistic change. His fourth major album release, Only Time Can Tell, gathered together some of the best rock players in the San Francisco Bay Area. The title track was later recorded by Teresa Trull, on her album, A Step Away, receiving international airplay.
“Marks shows a knack for combining a catchy and memorable song with mature and often brilliant lyrics about love, relationships, and finding a place in the world. . .always a rare thing in the world of commercial music.”
Teresa Trull and Gary, Great American Music Hall
Gary's follow-up album in 1988, The Real World, brought him further commercial success as a songwriter. Cris Williamson and Teresa Trull recorded three songs from “The Real World” on their duo album, Country Blessed.
Joining Marks on back-up harmonies were Bonnie Hayes, Teresa Trull, and Vicki Randall. Stef Burns played electric guitar. Burns eventually went on to work with the Alice Cooper Band and Narada Michael Walden. Marks arranged and programmed all the drum parts for The Real World and played most of the instruments.
“. . . Superb song craft. . . keen arrangements. If familiar reference points are Steve Winwood and Bruce Hornsby, Marks demonstrates as much care to the architecture of a song as those two certified platinum stars did on their most recent outings. Each song is intelligent, exceptional . . .”
In 1988, Marks published his first novel based on his experiences as a teenager in the 1960’s, The Dance and the Diamond Sky. As U.S. politics began to deteriorate during the Bush - Cheney adminstration, and again during the Trump era, Marks continued to revise his novel to underscore the fact that while hisotry may not repeat itself, human nature does.
At it’s core, this book is about a small circle of friends navigating life and love when their country is in political turmoil and no longer knows what it believes in.
Lessons learned sooner or later: Those who march blindly to the drumbeat of law and order will soon be marched to their own front door, and to the doors of their children.
The Dance and the Diamond Sky used personal and historical events from late '60's as a backdrop for highlighting current social and political issues. This book was re-published as a second edition in 2020.
“An amazing book beautifully written about a critical time in our country’s history. Though this coming of age tale is about a time decades removed, The Dance and the Diamond Sky generates wisdom that directly reflects upon the internal and external struggles we face today. There are no cliches here. There is humor, plenty of drama, and a great ending. A story that needed to be written finally was. . . .”
Gary's next recording, If All They Said Was True, was released in 1994, and introduced nine new songs.
Rehearsing for If All They Said Was True in Gary’s Studio
“Marks is a meticulous craftsman, injecting his modern rock sound with interesting harmonic subtleties and powerful lyrics.”
Marks continued producing recordings without touring, choosing instead to teach modern piano styles using improvisation theory to private students. He has also taught this method at a number of different universities. Marks wrote two piano method books: The Gary Marks Piano Method. This was sold nationwide and is still available on Amazon and on this website.
In 1999, he released, Bountiful, followed by an unplugged release of those songs called, Self-Portraits.
In 2007 Gary released, A Whisper Can Change the World, mixed by Grammy award winning mixing engineer, Jim Scott.
In 2010 Marks released, From Here, mixed by another award-winning enginner, Mark Needham, and co-produced by Gary’s daughter, Skylar.
In 2013, Marks released No Turning Back.
His latest work, a five song album called Alien Nights, was released in October of 2021. His son, Shawn Marks, played drums on the title track. His daughter, Skylar, helped sing harmonies.
In 2026, major news is brewing. Stay tuned.
Currently:
Gary Marks lives with his wife, Theresa. As he strives to become a 4.5 pickleball player, he also continues to teach piano privately to advanced students. Gary is also working on a new album, and a new novel.
Gary’s son, Shawn, is a monster drummer. Gary's daughter, Skylar Marks, is a singer-songwriter who has recorded and released five CDs of original music - skylarmarks.com
Website Designed by Skylar Marks