Mark Kleinhaut

ByPeter Henriksen

An exceptionally expressive guitarist, composer, and bandleader based in New England, Mark Kleinhaut has built a distinguished career defined by his lyrical improvisational style and a sophisticated harmonic vocabulary. Known for a warm, fluid acoustic-electric tone that perfectly complements the nuanced voice of the archtop guitar, Kleinhaut has released a series of critically acclaimed albums as a leader on the 360° Productions label. His recorded work features collaborations with an array of jazz luminaries, including tiger-fast trumpet titan Tiger Okoshi, legendary bassist Thomas Hebb, and master drummer Bob Gullotti, earning high praise from major jazz journals like DownBeat and Cadence. Beyond his active performance schedule, Kleinhaut is a deeply dedicated educator who serves as the director of the Maine Jazz Camp. Whether navigating intricate, multi-layered contemporary jazz compositions or anchoring an intimate, groove-driven duo with legendary special guests, he brings an architectural, highly spontaneous craftsmanship to the stage.

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