Mark Riley
Hometown: Lake Loon/Cherrybrook
Email: markrileysmusic@gmail.com
Website: mrileymusic.com
Biography
The 2023 ECMA Nominated, 2024 ANSMA nominated, 2021 ANSMA Rising Star winner and 2022 ECMA and ANSMA multi nominated Mark is originally from Dartmouth Nova Scotia where he started out as a Gospel singer in his hometown of Lake Loon, just outside of Dartmouth Nova Scotia. Mark sang in almost every choir in his hometown church (5 in total), the Cherrybrook United Baptist Church. Upon moving to Toronto in 1988 Mark pursued his music endeavors recording and performing in many Ontario venues including the Canadian National
Exhibition and Parliament House where he once opened for the world famous “Nylons” with his band “Triple Life”. Mark also has credits for soundtrack and as a performer in the educational film” Knowing your Rights” with the group Triple Life, produced in Toronto also. The group was destined for success that was interrupted by managerial problems which caused the group to give up their nearly completed recording project at the time. Mark was also a frequent performer in live venues in the Toronto area during his time spent there with recording group 2 Shades, the Sharman Hayman Band, the Simply Pleasure Band and the Cash Money Brothers Band. Upon moving back to Nova Scotia in 1995 Mark was quickly recruited by the ECMA Award winning Nova Scotia Mass Choir where he performed and toured Atlantic Canada as a Tenor and Soloist. A few highlights with the choir were Jazz East Coast Jazz Festival, sharing the stage with Sacred Steel group the Lee Boys. Several ECMA performances, also the Annual Martin Luther King Tributes with Symphony Nova Scotia at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax. Other highlights include ANSMA Awards Show 2001 and 2011. Mark was the (AUBA) African United Baptist Association’s Conference Soloist in 2015 and 2019. Mark recently performed in the 2023 ECMA Blues Showcase and the ECMA Opening Concert Series, as well as ANSMA’s Freedom Festival 2023, 2022 TD Halifax Jazz Festival, and the 2022 HFX Multifestival among many other festivals and events. Mark also performed with Rachael Mclean in her Christmas with Friends concert at Acadia’s University Hall in 2021. Mark also played with a few other bands such as the Cyndi Cain Band, Brother to Brother Gospel Band, The Nova Gospel Ensemble and the Reflection Band all from the Halifax area. Mark also plays Guitar, Bass and Drums. He is also a Sound Technician and a Recording Engineer.
Mark released his ANSMA award winning first solo Album in 2020 called One Step with co-Producer SlickFish Productions (Fisher Akao) and has now completed his second Album called PM Blue with Guitarist and co-Producer Paul Benteau. Mark also has an Album called Classic Duets released in April 2021 with Jazz vocalist Marylou Sicoly of Toronto and Toronto Pianist John Ebata as the musical director. Mark has performed with several bands throughout his career including the Culturally Diverse Shoulder to Shoulder Band who released an Album in 2014. This group travels throughout the Nova Scotia school system to promote Racial harmony and Bullying. Mark also has a 5-piece Band called the Mark Riley Project playing festivals and other venues throughout Nova Scotia. Mark was formerly the lead singer in the 15-piece Dance Band, The Bluesmobile. Mark still performs as a Gospel artist with the Praise Messengers as well as being a solo artist and resides in the Wolfville region of the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. Mark is a standing board member of the Deep Roots Music Cooperative as well as a board member of the Valley African Nova Scotia Development Association (VANSDA). Mark has worked at Long & Mcquade Musical instruments for 18 years. Mark’s goal is to continue making music and to change and enrich the lives of others through Music.