Mark Brown's Music Legacy

About the Author of El Libro Real

MARK BROWN

Mark P. Brown has devoted much of his life to the study and performance of music and music education. This dedication stems from a genuine interest in having access to accurately transcribed sheet music and a deep appreciation for the work of those who, through talent and creativity, dedicate themselves to composition.

He was born in Queens, New York, and moved to Venezuela with his family at the age of nine. During his eighteen years in the country, he developed as a musician on various instruments, distinguishing himself on the double bass and electric bass guitar.

He studied music at several conservatories in Caracas, focusing on cello, guitar, double bass, and voice. At 17, he became interested in jazz and spent years dedicated to the genre. In 1994, he received a scholarship to attend the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in jazz over the course of four years.

From 1998 to 2007, he worked as a music teacher in New York City public schools, where he made a special effort to share and promote Venezuelan music with his students. In 1995 Mark founded the Latin Jazz Orchestra at the Manhattan School of Music's summer program, and continued as composer and director until 2020.

His passion for Venezuelan music is influenced in part by his mother, Beatriz López, who was a celebrated singer of Venezuelan and international music in her youth. From her, he inherited a deep appreciation and respect for the many folkloric traditions that make up Venezuela’s rich musical heritage.

After returning to Venezuela in 2007, Mark joined the ensemble of renowned singer Cecilia Todd. For seven years, he toured with her—from Turkey to Chile—celebrating Venezuelan traditions in countries around the world. During that time, he also led his own jazz quartet and shared his knowledge of the genre with many musicians in Caracas and beyond. He currently teaches music in Houston, Texas, while also offering lessons to musicians in other countries through online platforms.

The creation of El Libro Real arose from Mark’s own experience learning Venezuelan music and recognizing the challenges caused by the scarcity of written scores available for this music.