Mark Burnell
Performing Member - Pianist

Originally from Pittsburgh, Mark has been a part-time unicyclist his entire life, but since that doesn’t pay the rent, he’s also a full-time musician. He has played piano, sung, and trained vocalists in nearly every musical style imaginable.

Mark has performed at jazz festivals, nightclubs and in cabaret rooms in Chicago, New York, Washington DC, Paris, Germany, Switzerland, and the Carribean. He’s sung the National Anthem at Wrigley Field, Comiskey Park, Allstate Arena, the United Center and Soldier Field.

His music director credits include Quality Time by the renowned jazz composer Dave Frishberg at the Milwauke Repoertory Theatre, the improv comedy group Boom Chicago in Amsterdam (yes, that Amsterdam), A Midsummer’s Night Dream-The Musical, with Laura San Giocomo, in Pittsburgh, Musical! The Musical! at the Royal George Theatre in Chicago, Mr. Bojangles: The Ultimate Entertainer at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, and countless cabaret shows at Davenport’s, Chicago’s premier cabaret room.

His CD releases include Cooler by the Lake (with Richie Cole), Christmas Piano, Little Things We Do Together, Blues in the Night (with Anne Burnell), and Aquacadence. Visit www.cdbaby.com for more info.

He’s especially proud of the fact that, since 1998, he’s been a Gospel musician at Chicago’s Gorham United Methodist Church. He’s been a part of Acts Of Kindness Cabaret since spring of 2007.

“… silkly smooth and highly polished” ~ The Chicago Sun-Times

“… a most enjoyable evening of song” ~ Applause, Applause, New York

“… never less than dazzling and often downright brilliant” ~ After Dark, Chicago