Mark Turner is a post-bop tenor saxophonist most influenced by
John Coltrane, but also notably
Warne Marsh. Born November 10, 1965 in Ohio,
Turner was raised in California and initially studied visual arts at Long Beach State, but decided instead to pursue music and transferred to Berklee.
Turner moved to New York and worked with
James Moody,
Jimmy Smith, the TanaReid Quintet,
Ryan Kisor,
Jonny King,
Leon Parker, and
Joshua Redman. He recorded his first album as a leader,
Yam Yam, in 1994; the follow-up, a self-titled effort, did not appear until 1998.
In This World appeared later that same year, and in early 2000
Turner resurfaced with
The Ballad Session. Cafe Oscurra appeared a year later. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide