Episode 14 with bassist Mark Egan (Pat Metheny, Duran Duran, Dave Sanborn, Gil Evans, Sting etc..)

The Riff Raff with Shane Theriot

My guest today is Mark Egan. Mark is a world renowned bassist, composer and bandleader who has recorded and performed with many of the greats in the world of music. He was an original member of the Pat Metheny group, the first incarnation of the band which produced such classic records as American Garage. Mark has also recorded many of his own projects and solo records; perhaps the best known of these being the band Elements, with drummer Danny Gottlieb, with whom he shares a close musical relationship with to this day.

In this interview Mark tells me about his early days at the University of Miami, the transition from trumpet to bass, studying and playing with Jaco Pastorius, getting his first fretless bass from Jaco, his early gigs in NY, joining the Pat Metheny group, David Sanborn and many others. I also ask him about his gigs with Sting, Gil Evans, Duran Duran, and get this- Bill Cosby- (he actually made a great record called Where you Lay Your Head- check it out!). We also do a few total improv jams and you get to hear Mark's flowing fretless lines that have graced so many recordings.

I had the pleasure of recording with Mark for an upcoming project a few months ago and it was great fun. He’s worked with a who’s who in the world of guitar- Metheny, Pat Martino, Scofield, John Abercrombie, John McLaughlin, and the list keeps going….

Anyway, I took the train up from Manhattan to Mark’s studio in Connecticut, and missed the connection…oops! Not to worry, I finally get to Mark’s beautiful home and studio and we are off and running.

It’s my pleasure to bring you this episode of the Riff Raff with one of the world's greatest bassists, Mark Egan. Hope you enjoy!

(Interview recorded June 2017 at Mark's studio in CT.)

(Pic below taken at Vancouver Jazz Festival- Pat Martino, Shane Theriot, Mark Egan (2004)

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