Dr Mark Baynes
Mark Baynes is a British jazz pianist with a contemporary leaning. Mark has been lucky enough to perform alongside some giants of jazz including Eric Marienthal (Chick Corea), Mark Kramer (Eddie Gomez), Cley Jenkins (Buddy Rich & Count Basie) as well as Mireya Ramos (Latin GRAMMY Award Winner), the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and a Broadway cast.
Mark was a guest arranger for the RNZB/NZSO production of Hansel and Gretel, written by acclaimed composer Claire Cowan, which won an award at the Aotearoa Music Awards 2021. Mark collaborated with Troy Kingi on a soon to be released single, and composed and recorded an album with Latin Grammy Award Winner Mireya Ramos (NYC).
Mark has worked with acts such as NZ hip hop artist King Kapisi, Che-Fu, Tony Christie (UK), Anika Moa, Don McGlashan, Batucada Sound Machine, Bella Kalolo. Mark worked for eighteen months in the Middle East as a musical director; a pianist/MD for ProShip (Canada) for two years; and has released a solo project under Dr Mark Baynes.
Miguel Fuentes
Miguel was born in New York City and he grew up in Puerto Rico. From an early age, Miguel knew music would be his life's passion and he began learning drums. His diverse musical education and upbringing has resulted in Miguel mastering all forms of Latin percussion – the Conga, Bata, timbales, chekere, bongo, various latin percussion instruments, drum kit and orchestral timpani. Miguel has studied Afro-Caribbean music with Professor Jose Ramirez, Orlando Puntilla Rios, and Daniel Ponce. He studied timpani with Fred D. Hinger of Yale University and the Manhattan School of Music. Miguel has performed, recorded, and toured with America’s most influential and iconic popular music artists of the American recording industry including Patti LaBelle, Grover Washington Junior, George Benson, and Isaac Hayes. Since moving to New Zealand Fuentes has performed and recorded with artists such as Nathan Haines, Jennifer Zea, Mark de Clive-Lowe, and Sola Rosa.
Testimonials
Miguel Fuentes is an acclaimed musician and his background as a percussionist is mind-blowing. While skilled in the numerous percussion styles and on numerous percussion instruments, he played congas, Afro-Cuban style on this gig. He has performed with a large number of important artists (e.g. George Benson and Isaac Hayes) and since moving from New York to New Zealand he has been the first call percussionist. - Jazz local 32
“So many jazz pieces I come across seem predictable and the same old territory, that I am surprised when someone truly fresh and original comes along” – Gary Burton (USA)
“Kiwi Mark Baynes is one of the most exciting jazz pianists to come along since Mike Nock. His soulful side is funky without getting stuck in a groove” – NZ Herald
