“My music has a great spirit to it that tends to touch people’s souls”

For drummer/composer Mark Sweetman, home is the East Coast of the United States, but the road that lead him here began in Canada, Sweetman studied with legendary jazz drum teacher Jim Blackley and at Toronto’s York University. He honed his skills in Toronto’s jazz scene. Sweetman say’s that his hometown of Toronto was 'a jazz Hot Spot.” In the midst of this incredibly beautiful Jazz environment, there was this jazz club called Bourbon Street, where all the best acts in the world would come - Art Pepper, Lee Konitz, Bill Evans, Chet Baker. Elvin Jones, Tony Williams. Sweetman used to go down three or four times a week, and “just live it.' While Sweetman was soaking up the jazz life, he got exposed to a spiritual side of music. ''I got introduced to Sonny Greenwich, who at that time reminded me so much of John Coltrane on guitar.
Sweetman say’s “They were playing music that went outside and was so intense, so spiritual, that it touched me deeply.”
Mark released several critically acclaimed albums including Inspired, All Paths Lead to One, Remembering John Coltrane, Mark Sweetman Quartet Live European
Landscapes and Ode to a Friend.
Musically Sweetman’s is also known for his melodic jazz tunes, as heard on his albums and used in theatre and movie productions. Along with playing Festivals and Venues,
He has also toured with the legendary Patti Labelle.
Sweetman’s latest group incorporates world jazz music with legendary Harp player Gloria Galante. Bringing to life some of the most beautiful compositions of Alice Coltrane, John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Wayne Shorter Sweetman’s band creates their own magic from these masters.