“…Meadows is careful to keep his evolution anchored in jazz, but even if he weighs that anchor, the journey is one worth following.” – Mike West, Washington City Paper, 2019
"...his nimble hands up and down the keyboard are a good show on their own." -Nelson Pressly, Washington Post, 2019
"...just as much a tribute to local talent as a tribute to the Harlem Renaissance " -Rebecca J. Ritzel, Washington City Paper, 2019
“Best Composer” and “Recording of the Year” —Washington City Paper, 2016
“2nd Best DC Jazz Album of 2016” —CapitalBop, 2016
“Tight and poised hitting the keys of Jelly Roll Morton’s intricate compositions and singing Susan Birckenhead’s pointed lyrics, Meadows is pure jazz nirvana.” – DC Theater Scene, 2016
Meadows “..fuses the tradition of jazz with the sounds of today in a very musical and entertaining way that is certainly worth the listen” —JazzTimes, 2015
“Artist of the Year” and “Composer of the Year”—Washington City Paper, 2014
Meadows’ writing is “outstanding and his compositions fresh”—All About Jazz, 2014
Meadows “has a level of creativity that will define him amongst others in his generation”—Cyrus Chestnut, jazz pianist
Mark G. Meadows is an award-winning pianist, vocalist and composer. With jazz as his foundation, Meadows seamlessly blends R&B, Pop, Soul, and Folk to create a distinctly unique and uplifting sound and a sense of freedom among his collaborators.
The son of a gospel and jazz vocalist, Mark G. Meadows began his musical odyssey at the age of three with the gift of a toy keyboard. At age five, he started formal piano lessons under the tutelage of renowned Russian classical pianist and pedagogue Rosalie LeVant.
Then, at age 13, he expanded his training to include jazz piano with the equally renowned Julie Bonk.
You can hear Mark’s genius in his 4 self-produced albums, Be the Change (2019), To the People (2016), Somethin’ Good (2014), and A Child is Born (2008). His latest album (September 2023), Only Time, is his most personal work to date. Drawing heavily on his jazz roots, Meadows seamlessly blends R&B, Pop, Soul, and Folk to reveal the raw human terrain of navigating the pandemic lockdown - and life itself.
He has performed alongside world-renowned artists such as Cynthia Erivo, Renee Fleming, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bobby McFerrin, Terence Blanchard, Kurt Elling, and Warren Wolf. He has headlined at premier venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Blues Alley, and The Kennedy Center. Meadows is the 2023 recipient of the Helen Hayes Award for Best Musical Direction (The Color Purple, Signature Theater); the 2016 Washington City Paper “Best Composer” and “Recording of the Year; ” 2016 “2nd Best DC Jazz Album” from CapitalBop; 2016; and Washington City Paper’s 2014 “Artist of the Year” and “Composer of the Year” awards.
DownBeat Magazine twice awarded Meadows honors for his work, first in 2007, dubbing his song Groovalicious “2nd Best Pop Rock Composition in North America.” In 2008, Downbeat named his performance of In The Groove “Best Pop Rock Solo in North America.”