Mark Levine .. pianist, educator, author

In a memorable quote, Jelly Roll Morton said that a "Spanish tinge" was necessary in jazz. He was referring to the voluminous traffic, musical and otherwise, between Havana and New Orleans around the turn of the 20th Century.

One of the legacies of this cultural interchange is Latin jazz. Mark Levine & The Latin Tinge draws it's rhythmic inspiration from both Afro-Cuban music and jazz - you might hear rumba, timba, songo, mambo, straight ahead, and 6/8 rhythms in a single tune.

"Mark Levine's genius allows him to play...with an intimate knowledge of both Monk and Chucho Valdés." - Eliseo Cardona, CD Now

"...a great example of small group Afro-Cuban jazz." - Bobby Sanabria, drummer and educator

"This CD is the real deal." - Marty Sheller

"...absolutely incredible and inspired." - Donald Brown

"This is a great recording." - Hubert Laws

Mark's bandmates in The Latin Tinge:

Percussionist Michael Spiro's credits include: Ignacio Berroa, Dori Caymmi, Changuito, Richard Egues, Giovanni Hidalgo, Toninho Horta, Bobby McFerrin, Chico O'Farrill, Eddie Palmieri, Que Calor, Carlos Santana. Michael is co-leader of his own acclaimed band, Talking Drums

Drummer Paul van Wageningen has played/recorded with: Angela Bofil, Pete Escovedo, Roy Obiedo, Tito Puente, Que Calor, Paquito D'Rivera, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, John Santos & The Machete Ensemble, Bill Summers

Bassist Steve Senft-Herrera has played/recorded with: Richard Egues, Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros, Jesus Díaz and QBA, Edgardo y Su Candela, Orquesta La Moderna Tradición.