About Gary Marks
For a songwriter with such a distinct sound and style, Gary Marks has been able to succeed in many different musical genres throughout his five decade career.
In the '70's Marks enjoyed success as both a folk and 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 and published over twenty novels and 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 Oregon, Art Lande, 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 began writing rock, using both rock and jazz players on his recordings. His albums were released on various labels throughout the ‘80s. His songs were also published by Arista, and later, Famous Music Paramount.
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 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.
“. . . 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,
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 piano and improvisation theory to private students, and at a number of different universities.
In 1989 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 the songs on Bountiful, called, Self-Portraits.
In 2007 Gary released, A Whisper Can Change the World, mixed by the Grammy award winning mixing engineer, Jim Scott. He also began writing and publishing novels at a rapid pace.
In 2010 Marks released, From Here, mixed by Mark Needham, and co-produced by Gary’s daughter, Skylar.
In 2013, Marks' No Turning Back, was released world-wide. At the same time, his third album from 1977, Thoughts of Why, was re-released in Asia by Stella Records. He also signed a publishing deal with Stella records in Japan.
In 2020, Gary published a three novella hard copy book called Somewhere Beautiful, which is now on its 2nd printing.
His latest work, a five song record 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.
Early in 2025, Gary published his new short novel, The Improviser. “The Improviser might just be my favorite Gary Marks novel yet, and I’ve read them all. It’s beautifully written, it’s funny, it’s insightful, and has a pitch-perfect ending. Musicians will relate on a very special level, but even someone who knows nothing about music will love Josh Martin, and the twists and turns of this unhinged and very extraordinary story.” — Leah Jessen Jones, acting coach; director; Los Angeles, CA.
Currently:
Gary Marks lives with his wife, Theresa. He continues to teach piano privately. Gary has also begun work on a new album, and a new novel. So stay tuned!
Gary's daughter, Skylar, is a singer / songwriter who has recorded and released five CDs of original music, and has become an award-winning photographer (follow her Instagram photos @skylarindasky).
Skylar's music and photography are on her website: skylarmarks.com (Skylar's songs can also be heard on iTunes and Spotify.)
Gary has recently created a new literary art form that he’s been having a lot of fun with, he calls Colopetry — it’s color poetry. These are poems with a series of colored poems inside of them. You can access it through the home page on this website.
You can also hear a series of mood playlists on Gary’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/garymarksmusic/playlists
Website Designed by Skylar Marks