Mark Kelso

Mark Kelso (drummer, percussionist, singer, composer, producer, educator) was born in 1963 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. His family emigrated to Canada when he was nine years old, and began playing drums at the age of 12. A former graduate of Humber College in Toronto, he is now Head of the Percussion Department there.

Beginning to play on the Toronto scene when he was just 18 years of age, Kelso has amassed a solid reputation as a versatile and musical performer who is now one of the first call players in the country. His ability to play in a multiplicity of diverse styles has led to work with many of the entertainment world’s best including John Scofield, Herbie Hancock, James Taylor, Larry Coryell, Gino Vannelli, Michael Buble, Dave Liebman, Chaka Khan, Jerry Bergonzi, Carol Welsman, Guido Basso, Arturo Sandoval, Doug Riley, Pat LaBarbera, Rob McConnell, Ranee Lee, John Pizzarelli, Gary Morgan’s Panamericana, Holly Cole, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Paquito D’Rivera, Hilario Duran, The Brigham Phillips Big Band, and Michel Cusson’s Camino.

Mark Kelso’s busy touring schedule has taken him all over North America, Russia, Japan, Iceland, Australia, England, Scotland, Italy, France, Germany, Indonesia, South Korea and even the North Pole. As a respected clinician, he has performed at numerous major drum festivals including Montreal Drumfest, the Cape Breton Drumfest, and KOSA. He has participated in over 150 recordings, radio and TV jingles, movie soundtracks, and operates his own recording studio (Groovy Drums) where he records drum tracks for a number of other artists.

Video Clips

Mark Kelso on tour in Seoul, South Korea with the Humber College Faculty Band featuring Mike Downes, Ted Quinlan, Brian Dickinson, Kirk MacDonald and Denny Christianson.

Mark Kelso, Larnell Lewis & Paul Brochu @ The 2008 Montreal Drumfest.

Mark Kelso drum solo on EBS Korean TV show (2008)

Mark Kelso with The Humber College Faculty Big Band –  (The Torch by Phil Nimmons)

Sax Soloist: Kirk MacDonald