Mark Lettieri Group Meets WDR Big Band at Studio 4 Mark Lettieri & WDR Big Band

• 1 Goonsquad 06:57
• 2 Tidal Tail 04:21
• 3 Knows 07:05
• 4 Extraspecial 05:05
• 5 Naptime 05:34
• 6 Seuss Pants 06:41
• 7 Gigantactis 04:55
• 8 Slide Rule 07:24
• 9 Star Catchers 06:36
• 10 Architeuthis 05:11
• Total Runtime 59:49

Info for Mark Lettieri Group Meets WDR Big Band at Studio 4

Multi-award-winning guitarist Mark Lettieri, known as the virtuoso sound architect of the Grammy-winning band Snarky Puppy and creative head of his own Mark Lettieri Group, presents a new album that sets new standards: an electrifying collaboration with the renowned WDR Big Band.

In an explosive mix of fusion, funk, and jazz rock, Lettieri's compositions unfold in a new, orchestral guise – full of energy, groove, and musical depth. The arrangements are by none other than Michael Abene, who, with his feel for timbres and dynamics, takes the interplay between the big band and the guitar virtuoso to a new level.

With tracks such as "Star Catchers," "Tidal Tail," "Naptime," "Goonsquad," and "Seuss Pants," the album impressively demonstrates how modern big band music can sound—full of groove attitude, rhythmic complexity, and infectious enthusiasm. Alongside Mark Lettieri and his band members Daniel Porter (keys), Wes Stephenson (bass), and Jason "JT" Thomas (dr), the soloists from the WDR Big Band shine with inspired improvisations and technical brilliance.

The result is a rousing album bursting with musicality that will delight die-hard Lettieri fans and jazz, funk, and fusion lovers as well as big band fans.

Mark Lettieri, electric guitar
Wes Stephenson, electric bass
Daniel Porter, keyboards
Jason “JT” Thomas, drums
WDR Big Band
Jörg Achim Keller, direction
Michael Abene, arrangements

Mark Lettieri
is a five-time GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist, composer, producer, and instructor based in Fort Worth, TX. He creates acclaimed guitar-based instrumental music, and is a member of leading instrumental bands Snarky Puppy and The Fearless Flyers. As a session musician proficient in a multitude of styles, he has recorded and performed in virtually every genre of popular music with both independent and major-label artists.

Lettieri has released nine albums as a leader: Knows (2011), Futurefun (2013), Spark and Echo (2016) Deep: The Baritone Sessions in (2019), Things of That Nature (2019), Deep: The Baritone Sessions, Vol. 2 (2021), Fly Through It (EP, 2022), Out by Midnight: Live at the Iridium (2023) and most recently, Can I Tell You Something? (2024). Deep: The Baritone Sessions, Vol. 2 earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, giving Lettieri his first nomination as a solo artist. He tours this material around the globe with his quartet, the Mark Lettieri Group.

Playing in the vibrant Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex gospel and R&B scene led Lettieri to join Snarky Puppy in 2008, and he remains active with the band as a writer, arranger, session player, and touring member. His work with the group has resulted in five GRAMMY Awards: Best R&B Performance for "Something" feat. Lalah Hathaway in 2014, and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album (Sylva in 2016, Culcha Vulcha in 2017, Live at the Royal Albert Hall in 2021, and Empire Central in 2023).

In 2018, Lettieri helped form The Fearless Flyers, with Cory Wong, Nate Smith, and Joe Dart. The Vulfpeck-adjacent quartet has five releases to date: The Fearless Flyers (2018), The Fearless Flyers II (2019), Tailwinds (2020), Live at Madison Square Garden (2021), The Fearless Flyers III (2022), and The Fearless Flyers IV (2024). The band is a regular presence on the jazz and jam-band festival scene.

As a sideman, Lettieri has performed and/or recorded with a myriad of artists including Erykah Badu, David Crosby, Kirk Franklin, The Jacksons, Fred Hammond, Tori Kelly, 50 Cent, Ledisi, Tamela Mann, Lecrae, Lupe Fiasco, Keyshia Cole, Xzibit, Anthony Evans, Phillip Phillips, Nelly, Chrisette Michele, Myron Butler, and even alongside comedians Dave Chappelle and Harry Shearer. For a sizable sampling of Lettieri’s session work, visit this Spotify playlist.

In addition to his recording and performing career, Lettieri is involved with the development and demonstration of various musical equipment with a number of brands. In recent years, he has teamed up with Paul Reed Smith Guitars to create his signature model Fiore electric guitar, the MeLody overdrive pedal with J. Rockett Audio Designs, and the NewWave chorus pedal with Jackson Audio. Lettieri has also collaborated with Apple, Inc. to create a package of downloadable guitar loops for the digital audio workstations Logic Pro and Garageband.

As an instructor, Lettieri has released online guitar instructional courses through outlets such as JamPlay, Brett Papa, Guitareo, and Soundslice, as well as print lessons available from Premier Guitar Magazine.

On a personal note, Lettieri was born in the San Francisco Bay Area, and came to Texas via Texas Christian University (TCU). There, he matriculated in advertising and public relations, competed in track and field, and began dipping his toes in the local music scene. A passionate guitarist since middle school, he began his music career upon graduating from TCU. An avid lover of food, travel, and doing his best to keep an active lifestyle, he resides with his wife, two daughters, three cats, and a hamster.

This album contains no booklet.