Discography

Excerpts from Downbeat Magazine's review of December Moment by Bobby Reed:

Pianist Mark Christopher Brandt, bassist Shaun Jurek and drummer Russell Lucas have crafted a peaceful album that combines religious and secular tunes. Brandt wrote all the arrangements, adding surprising twists and fluid improv segments.

The title track, which is the only original tune here, was spontaneously composed in the studio and illustrates the musicians' simpatico approach. This is a fine album for nighttime listening, when you're in the mood to relax and reflect, long after the kids have gone to slumberland.

This was the first outing for No Explanations and it showcases the versatility of Mark's skills as a composer and the equally versatile skills of guitarist Dan Leonard. There are multiple guitars featured on this recording and Leonard is not simply strumming along with Mark. He proves to be a virtuoso on each guitar chosen for the project.

Round Trip features tracks recorded in1997 combined with new tracks recorded for this 2013 session. All of the songs blend seamlessly and sound as though they were recorded at the same time. As is the case with most all of Mark's recorded works the tracks from 1997 and the tracks from 2013 were recorded in one take with no editing.

This Side of Forever marked the return to the artistic arena for Mark Christopher Brandt after an eight-year hiatus from performing and recording. Although it was released after Worth the Wait (2010), it was recorded during the same year but held back from release to allow the trio recording to grow legs.

This Side of Forever brings both the old and the new with it. It is a double CD release containing the tracks from his 1999 solo piano recording Contemplation, as well as a disc of newly created solo piano pieces.

This Side of Forever was recorded in one session and all of the pieces are unedited first takes. The same is true for Contemplation, recorded eight years earlier.

Worth the Wait is a straight-ahead jazz trio album featuring 6 unique compositions unlike any other jazz offerings out there while remaining true to the tradition and the individuality that this art form demands.

The title is a reference to pianist, Mark Christopher Brandt's dream of entering into the studio with a jazz trio. It documents the culmination of a lifelong dream. The trio featured on this album (bassist, Shaun Jurek and drummer, Nate Panning) was the work horse undergirding Mark's career as they were in demand for clubs, society gigs, weddings, clinics and everything in between from Delaware to North Carolina for almost 10 years.

Two alternate takes of the title track, featuring completely different improvised solos from the pianist, bear witness to Mark’s ability to truly create spontaneously.

Contemplation is a solo piano CD featuring thirteen originals. The pieces were recorded in the order that they appear - in one sitting - with no break or editing.

Mark recorded these pieces to document where he was at this stage of his career as a composer, an improvisor, and as a pianist.

Contemplation was Mark's last recorded work for eight years as he turned his entire focus to the practice of his religion, the growth of his family, and the development of his students.

These songs encapsulate Mark's love for the interior life and his desire to find a way to express this love musically.

The pieces were combined with music that Mark recorded in 2010 and released in 2012 under the two-disc CD titled this Side of Forever.