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Emerging
from a solid tradition of celebrated Chicago house producers, Mark
Grant continues to be highly sought after for his technical skills as a
DJ and his creative innovations as a producer and remix artist.
Growing
up in the city that introduced house music to the world, Grant found
his aspiration in life to be a DJ at a young age. Influenced heavily by
legends such as Frankie Knuckles, he was instinctively drawn to house.
"If I've ever loved anything, it's been house music," he says. "From my first encounter at 12 years old and still today."
Grant
DJed throughout high school and college as a self-professed "serious
hobby." After graduating from Chicago's Columbia College with a
Marketing Communications degree, more than anything he had studied,
DJing called to Grant.
Having DJed several years on the Chicago
scene, Grant jump-started his production career in 1994, with the
release of, "Gotta New Love Thang" with Ralph Rosario. This single was
released to widespread critical acclaim, even garnering kudos for Grant
from industry heavyhitter Billboard, and was Grant's first opportunity
to showcase his talents for writing, producing and remixing in one
project.
The following year Mark joined forces with Chicago
house imprint Cajual Records and over the next two years, Grant would
craft prolific amounts of material for his new creative outlet. Among
his productions, lasting impressions were made from his single "Touch
Me" and The Braxton Holmes/Mark Grant EP as well as "The Spirit of the
Black Ghost" for cross-town rivals, Guidance Recordings. His
collaboration with fellow Cajual artist Cajmere under the moniker
Chicago Connection produced one of his most popular releases, the
track, "Dancin." Grant's remixes of Glenn Underground's anthem, "House
Music Will Never Die", and Green Velvet's "Answering Machine" were also
very well received. Then Grant created his first nationally released
mix CD, "A Taste Of Cajual", which found honors in the Chicago
Tribune's Best Albums that year.
For
several years Grant had been performing four to five nights a week in
Chicago, with residencies at weekly events at legendary clubs Red Dog,
Red No. 5, Shelter, Funky Buddha Lounge and Mad Bar. After Cajual
abruptly folded in 1997, Grant advanced on the popularity he'd
developed through his distinguished releases and began to build an
impressive touring schedule outside of Chicago. Traveling across the
States and Canada, and over the world, Grant played venues from
Scotland to Turkey, Japan, Belgium, and Finland.
In addition to
his aggressive touring agenda, Grant continued to be in high demand as
a producer/remixer. Among his original material, Grant put out numerous
remixes on labels such as Guidance, Deep Soul and Silk Entertainment
between 1997 and 2000. The distinctive "Jazzy Kinda Sum'n" on Cyclo
Records was licensed far and wide. From Ben Watt's "Lazy Dog"
continuous mix CD to the Café Del Mar ChillHouse mix CD, "Jazzy" made
the tracklists of no less than six international mix compilations.
And although Grant has developed a standout production resume, he notes he still enjoys performing live.
"I've
always loved DJing, because I love music," he notes. "DJing allows me
to extend my creativity on top of the creativity that is already in the
songs, through programming and technique. Also, it's a very good
feeling for an audience to appreciate what you do."
In 2001
Grant took his production career in a fresh new direction by joining
forces with famed San Francisco house label Om Records. Home to
celebrated artist Mark Farina, the label is known worldwide for its
top-quality house releases. Grant's first release for the label was
2001's, "Sound Design V2". As part of a continuous mix series following
Sound Design V1 with LA's Marques Wyatt, the CD runs the full spectrum
of house, weaving deftly into the mix influences ranging from
jazzed-up, funky vocals to slow, moody house and Latin-tinged beats.
Showing
no signs of stopping in 2002, Grant offers the original vocal, "Hey
You" on OM Records as well as the track, "MG's Groove" for Los Angeles
imprint, Deep Funk Records, both slated for Fall releases.
As
his original material, remixes, and CDs continue to be released to
global acceptance and praise, Grant remains a very popular subject with
the electronic music press. The topic of numerous features in some of
electronic music's most respected print outlets - URB, Mixmag, DMA and
BPM, to name a few. Grant has also been profiled in several Web media
outlets including GROOVEPARLOR.COM
Grant's newest project is the formation of his own record label, Blackstone Recordings.
With the label still in the planning stages, Grant plans to continue
his rigorous production schedule and extensive world touring.
"I love to spread my love for house music around," he says simply. "I love to share it with an audience."
For further information or bookings contact:
DJ Mark Grant
P.O. Box 12860
Chicago, IL 60612
www.djmarkgrant.com | www.blackstonerecordings.com
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