Mark Osteen

Born in Montana, Mark Osteen began playing piano at age seven, and took up the saxophone in the fifth grade. After making All-State Band in high school, he studied jazz at the University of Montana Jazz Workshops, then performed for ten years in rock and R & B groups in the Pacific Northwest. His next stop was Atlanta, where he lived and played for six years, mostly with the ‘60s tribute group No System. After moving to Baltimore, he co-founded CSJQ in 1994. In 2002 Osteen contributed his first composition to the group, “The Amen Corner.” Since then he has written about twenty tunes and added several to CSJQ’s regular book.

Mark is also president of the Baltimore Jazz Alliance, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing jazz in Baltimore. He produced BJA’s compilation CD, Baltimore Jazzscapes, and edited The Baltimore Real Book: Original Compositions by Baltimore Jazz Artists. Click here to find out more about the BJA.

When he’ s not playing and singing with CSJQ, Mark teaches English at Loyola College, and works with the Loyola Jazz Ensembles. Osteen’s favorite non-jazz pursuits include reading, writing (he’s published six scholarly books) and movies.

Brian Smith
Brian Smith, a founding member of CSJQ, has worked with the quartet for 13 years. In addition to his small group work, Brian enjoys performing as a professional solo pianist. A member of ASCAP, Brian is also an arranger and composer; you can hear a sample of his work at any CSJQ performance. Four of his many compositions were recently published in The Baltimore Real Book.

Gary Kerner

A native Baltimorean, Gary has enjoyed working with a plethora of Baltimore’s jazz musicians, in numerous bands, since he started on his musical journey at age 14. You can find him playing in the Baltimore City summer concert series, as part of Baltimore’s Big Band, or at swing dances, weddings and other functions with the Shades of Blue Orchestra or the Sentimental Journey Orchestra. Though Gary enjoys playing in big bands he has a special fondness for working in a small group. He has played with Andy Ennis, Bing Miller, Mickey Fields, Whit Williams, The Platters, and many more. He accompanies his wife, Loretta, on guitar and bass as part of Spats and Playmates. When he’s not playing his bass or guitar, he’s reading, restoring his big old house, or making his kitty cats purr.

Greg Mack

Born in 1948 in Baltimore, Maryland, Greg began playing drums at 14 years old. Within a few years he was playing professionally with several Variety Bands while continuing to study and develop his drumming techniques and education. Although Greg has performed a variety of styles of music, from pop to rock and country, his favorite is jazz including Latin music. Over the years he has also developed an interest in a wider range of percussion instruments which he incorporates in his musical performances. Greg’s main interest is to develop the quality of his drum sounds in relation to voicing, texture, color, movement, feeling and groove. The most important thing is to play with the other musicians and to LISTEN. His future plans are to keep growing musically and harmoniously.