Mark Kelso’s Mystic Isle
November 13, 14, 15, 16 @ 8:30 PM

Mark Kelso - Drums / Vocals
Luis Deniz - Saxophone
Ewen Farncombe - Piano
Mike Downes - Bass

The Mystic Isle Project is three-time JUNO nominee, Mark Kelso’s 8th release as a leader. It’s also his most
personal recording to date. The 11 songs featured are all dedicated to various places that Mark remembers
fondly from his youth growing up in Northern Ireland. Scenic locales such as the Antrim Coast, Portrush, the
Giant’s Causeway and Carrickfergus are all included, as are much more personal locations. Areas such as
Duncairn Gardens, where his Mother grew up, Tate’s Avenue Bridge where his Father lived and Ardmillan
Drive where Kelso himself was brought home to, as a newborn baby, are all included in song titles. Mark
says, “Even though I’ve lived in Canada since I was 9 years old, Northern Ireland has always stayed close to
my heart, and through all the visits there over the years, it has remained one of the most beautiful places I’ve
ever seen. I’m thrilled to be honoring my homeland at this point in my life”.

Joining Mark in his all-star quartet are his long-time compadres, 2023 JUNO nominated Luis Deniz, on alto
and soprano sax and two-time JUNO winner, Mike Downes, on acoustic bass. Rounding out the group is up
and coming rising star, Ewen Farncombe, on piano. Recorded in November of 2023, the recording features
11 original pieces of music recorded at RHC Studios in Toronto, Canada and engineered and mixed by three-time JUNO winning sound master, Jeff Wolpert, whom Mark has worked with numerous times over the last
35 years. “I truly think that these songs represent my strongest compositions to date.”, says Kelso