Born in Chicago, jazz pianist Mark Simon has been delighting Northwest jazz audiences for more than three decades. His versatile touch combined with musical depth and soul, gives people of all musical backgrounds something to appreciate.

Mark won critical acclaim and heavy airplay with his 1995 CD release Portland Nights. The CD features eight Simon originals performed by musicians who collectively have performed with the likes of Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Rosemary Clooney, Mose Allison, and Tower of Power.

Mark has performed at just about every Portland venue that has had jazz in the past 30 years. In addition, his music has been heard at the Seattle Opera House (twice), Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, Mount Hood Festival of Jazz (six times) and the Portland Rose Festival.

Mark’s music has been heard on local television and radio as well as on radio stations across the country.

                      Highlights of Mark's career include:

*Intregral member of the Leroy Vinegar Trio along with Mel Brown (4 yrs)
*Intregal member of the Hadley Caliman Quartet
*Concert performances with Bud Shank, Jeff Clayton, Joshua Breakstone,
  and Julie Kelly.
*Sitting in with many notable jazz artists including Herb Ellis, Teddy Edwards, Red Holloway, Harry Connick Jr., Jeff Tain Watts and Russell Malone.

Over the past 30 years, Mark has played with a virtual Who's Who of the Portland jazz scene: Leroy Vinegar, Mel Brown, Ron Steen, Shirley Nanette, Rob Thomas, Ben Wolf, Dan Balmer, Nancy King, Dick Berk, Dave Captein, Gary Hobbs, Dan Faehnele, and countless others.

Portland Nights
"A regular with Leroy Vinegar's Trio, Simon branches out on his own with a sophisticated, lyrical album called "Portland Nights".  Paul Mazzio's fluid flugelhorn and trumpet lines highlight Simon's lovely compositional sense, while the Dave Captein/Gary Hobbs rhythm section adds a sensitive spark."  Marty Hughley, The Oregonian.

In 2012, Mark released his second album in 16 yrs, Mark Simon / Bass 10.