mwForman ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
mwForman (1952 - ), is an American-born Singer-Songwriter, best known as a founding member of the
Jazz-Rock quartet Project One. Hailing from a cadre of 60’s/70’s artists and musicians falling just short of public notoriety, he is nonetheless respected among his peers as an adept Songman/Composer, Drummer/
Multi-Instrumentalist; and Producer. .
Early Life/Career [edit]
Forman was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey, the only son of Harry Singer Forman and Gertrude Florence Smith. His musical abilities are attributed pimarily to his namesake...Mark ‘Banjo’ Smith (Grandfather), a well-known minstrel and songman celebrated in pubs along many Delaware River hamlets between Philadelphia and Trenton, in the years following WWII. Inspired by the Rock ‘n’ Roll and Motown hits of the day, Mark began playing drums at the age of fifteen; and quickly gained prominence as a syncopated groove man (and soloist) in the local 'bar bands' of the time. [Most infamous among these early endeavors (1967-1969) was with the widely-popular and enigmatic south Jersey Psychedelic Rock band known as Scorched Earth].
Musical Chronology [edit]
(Career cont.'d) In 1972, Mark answered a classified placed in Rolling Stone Magazine calling for drummers to audition for Columbia Records recording artists Michelangelo. The group had released their first LP during the previous year (One Voice Many); and he passed that audition w/ flying colors. Prior to signing a contract however, the recording of a second album was placed on hold (due to a group member seeking substance abuse rehabilitation). In the interim, various band members went their separate ways, spelling an end for this promising act. Meanwhile, Michael Greenbaum, an A&R Executive (and associate of Michelangelo Producer Rachel Elkind), very much liked what he had heard from the young drummer. He kept in contact during that summer; and eventually offered him a job as a Studio Drummer w/ Arista Records. The offer was declined unexpectedly however, after Mark caved-in to an ultimatum from his girlfriend at the time [The options given...being that of a wonderful, lasting relationship (w/ her), or a lousy career (down the wrong path) in music, (neither of which came to fruition)].
After a short stint with the Progressive-Rock quartet Crazy Smiley, (which added Singer-Songwriter/Guitarist Paul Slingbaum to a former Scorched Earth lineup of Charlie Conrad on Keyboards/Vocals and Tom Holmes on Bass)...it was now time to move on...to the rock 'n' roll promised land of California. There, in the summer of 1973, Mark joined forces with longtime musical ally, guitarist Eric ‘Cruize’ Henderson, in the West Coast Acid-Rock band known as Glenada House. The band also featured Mark Okrusko on Acoustic Guitar/Lead Vocals and Mark Graney on Bass. The group quickly gained a solid following amid the LA 'foothills' music scene, due in large part to their wildly improvisational interludes offered up between novel Okrusco Folk-Rock and Henderson Cosmic-Rock compositions. Later that summer, they were offered an audition by Brent Dangerfield, a Producer at Columbia Records who had signed Santana. It is unknown however, as to why the band did not show up for this seemingly big break.
By the mid 70's, Mark had developed an interest in the Tenor (4-string) Guitar...picked up a '62 Gibson acoustic model; and taught himself how to play. Having shown a flair for singing and songwriting from a very young age, it was during this period that his compositional skills began to form around the guitar, as accompaniment.
During this period...after working numerous sessions as a drummer looking for new opportunities...he again rallied w/ Henderson, forming another original music combo...this time a Folk-Rock/Psychedelic Jam Band known as Good Intent. This quartet also featured Bassist Mark Graney; and added Singer-Songwriter/Guitarist Michael McCastle. But despite the possibilities afforded by the folk-spun songwriting talents of the later...coupled with the soloing of Henderson, the group disbanded within a year’s time. From 1977 to 1979, Mark played Drums and shared Lead Vocal duties with Pianist Carl Davis and Bassist Mike Berry in the Rock/Jazz/R & B cover group Bringin’ it Home. Then, in 1980, frustrated over falling short of his long-term musical goals, he hung up his rock and roll shoes (for what he thought was for good).
Discography [edit]
Future Projects [edit]
Encouraged by a newfound incentive provided by recovery, along with a lifestyle now dedicated to the following of a spiritual path, mwForman’s reborn determination to bring his music to the masses has set him at long last upon a solo album project. It is entitled PHANTAZUMA; and is an inspired and eclectic collection of his best songwriting and vocal performances, dating from the mid-seventies through the present day. It is currently being recorded, mixed and mastered at MoonMix Studios.
PHANTAZUMA will feature Project One comrade Eric 'Cruize' Henderson, along with performances from indie studio/touring greats such as Brent Mason (Shania Twain; Firefall; Alison Krauss), Jeff Lorber, Blair Masters (Casting Crowns; CeCe Winans), Dow Tomlin, Stuart Duncan and Jon Herrington (Steely Dan). It will also feature saxophonist James 'Big Jim' Doyle (with whom Mark played alongside in the 60's/70's cover band Flashback), as well as backup vocal performances from Eryn Shewell (Bernard Purdie Band), Eva Hargis (3~26), Aniko (Project One); and MoonWaves guest vocalist (& self-titled 'boop girl') Sunny Greenberg . Much of the original artwork incorporated into the CD’s design will be that of John R. Edgar (Other Studios), one of Mark’s earliest colleagues; and lifelong best friend until his death in 1996 (and who is regarded as one of the great undiscovered underground cartoonists of the 1960’s and ‘70’s).
The CD is due out in 2024 on Lunar Records.
mwForman (1952 - ), is an American-born Singer-Songwriter, best known as a founding member of the
Jazz-Rock quartet Project One. Hailing from a cadre of 60’s/70’s artists and musicians falling just short of public notoriety, he is nonetheless respected among his peers as an adept Songman/Composer, Drummer/
Multi-Instrumentalist; and Producer. .
Early Life/Career [edit]
Forman was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey, the only son of Harry Singer Forman and Gertrude Florence Smith. His musical abilities are attributed pimarily to his namesake...Mark ‘Banjo’ Smith (Grandfather), a well-known minstrel and songman celebrated in pubs along many Delaware River hamlets between Philadelphia and Trenton, in the years following WWII. Inspired by the Rock ‘n’ Roll and Motown hits of the day, Mark began playing drums at the age of fifteen; and quickly gained prominence as a syncopated groove man (and soloist) in the local 'bar bands' of the time. [Most infamous among these early endeavors (1967-1969) was with the widely-popular and enigmatic south Jersey Psychedelic Rock band known as Scorched Earth].
Musical Chronology [edit]
| Act: | Years: | Genre: | Lineup: |
| The Jaybirds | 1964-'67 | Surf Music, Rock & Roll, Top 40 | Richard Lasko: Guitar; Richard Ford: Pedal Steel Guitar; Dennis Woods: Bass; Thomas Wahl: Vocals; MW Forman: Drums |
| Scorched Earth | 1967-'69 | Psychedelic Rock | Eric Henderson: Guitar; George Dager: Guitar; Charlie Conrad: Keyboards, Vocals; Thomas Holmes: Bass; MW Forman: Drums |
| Crazy Smiley | 1970 | Progressive Rock [O] | Paul Slingbaum: Guitar, Vocals; Charlie Conrad: Keyboards, Vocals; Thomas Holmes: Bass; MW Forman: Drums |
| Good Intent | 1972-'73 & '74-'77 |
West Coast Acid Rock; Folk Rock; Rock & Roll [O] |
Michael McCastle: Guitar, Vocals; Eric Henderson: Guitar; Mark Graney: Bass; MW Forman: Drums |
| Glenada House | 1973 | West Coast Acid Rock; Folk Rock; Rock & Roll [O] |
Mark Okrusco: Guitar, Vocals; Eric Henderson: Guitar; Mark Graney: Bass; MW Forman: Drums |
| Bringin' It Home | 1977-'80 | Jazz Rock; R & B; Rock & Soul |
Carl Davis: Keyboards, Vocals; Eric Henderson: Guitar; Michael Berry: Bass, Vocals; MW Forman: Drums, Vocals |
| Rule 62 | 1999- 2001 |
Classic Rock; Rock & Roll |
Timmy: Guitar, Vocals; Jay: Guitar, Vocals; Andy Sinatra: Bass, Vocals; James 'Big Jim' Doyle: Sax; MW Forman: Drums, Vocals |
| Project One | 2002-'06 | Jazz Rock, Fusion, Philly Jazz, Pop, Indie Rock [O] | Eric Henderson: Guitar; Aniko: Vocals; Barry Roberts: Guitar, Bass, Vocals; MW Forman: Drums, Programming, Vocals |
| Breaking Bread | 2010-'12 | Worship; Christian Rock; Rock & Roll | John Tidwell: Bass, Vocals; Gary Jackubicki: Guitar; Mark Orlowski: Guitar, Vocals; MW Forman: Keyboards, Vocals; Phil Robertson: Drums |
(Career cont.'d) In 1972, Mark answered a classified placed in Rolling Stone Magazine calling for drummers to audition for Columbia Records recording artists Michelangelo. The group had released their first LP during the previous year (One Voice Many); and he passed that audition w/ flying colors. Prior to signing a contract however, the recording of a second album was placed on hold (due to a group member seeking substance abuse rehabilitation). In the interim, various band members went their separate ways, spelling an end for this promising act. Meanwhile, Michael Greenbaum, an A&R Executive (and associate of Michelangelo Producer Rachel Elkind), very much liked what he had heard from the young drummer. He kept in contact during that summer; and eventually offered him a job as a Studio Drummer w/ Arista Records. The offer was declined unexpectedly however, after Mark caved-in to an ultimatum from his girlfriend at the time [The options given...being that of a wonderful, lasting relationship (w/ her), or a lousy career (down the wrong path) in music, (neither of which came to fruition)].
After a short stint with the Progressive-Rock quartet Crazy Smiley, (which added Singer-Songwriter/Guitarist Paul Slingbaum to a former Scorched Earth lineup of Charlie Conrad on Keyboards/Vocals and Tom Holmes on Bass)...it was now time to move on...to the rock 'n' roll promised land of California. There, in the summer of 1973, Mark joined forces with longtime musical ally, guitarist Eric ‘Cruize’ Henderson, in the West Coast Acid-Rock band known as Glenada House. The band also featured Mark Okrusko on Acoustic Guitar/Lead Vocals and Mark Graney on Bass. The group quickly gained a solid following amid the LA 'foothills' music scene, due in large part to their wildly improvisational interludes offered up between novel Okrusco Folk-Rock and Henderson Cosmic-Rock compositions. Later that summer, they were offered an audition by Brent Dangerfield, a Producer at Columbia Records who had signed Santana. It is unknown however, as to why the band did not show up for this seemingly big break.
By the mid 70's, Mark had developed an interest in the Tenor (4-string) Guitar...picked up a '62 Gibson acoustic model; and taught himself how to play. Having shown a flair for singing and songwriting from a very young age, it was during this period that his compositional skills began to form around the guitar, as accompaniment.
During this period...after working numerous sessions as a drummer looking for new opportunities...he again rallied w/ Henderson, forming another original music combo...this time a Folk-Rock/Psychedelic Jam Band known as Good Intent. This quartet also featured Bassist Mark Graney; and added Singer-Songwriter/Guitarist Michael McCastle. But despite the possibilities afforded by the folk-spun songwriting talents of the later...coupled with the soloing of Henderson, the group disbanded within a year’s time. From 1977 to 1979, Mark played Drums and shared Lead Vocal duties with Pianist Carl Davis and Bassist Mike Berry in the Rock/Jazz/R & B cover group Bringin’ it Home. Then, in 1980, frustrated over falling short of his long-term musical goals, he hung up his rock and roll shoes (for what he thought was for good).
Discography [edit]
| Singles | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: | Title: | Artist: | Contribution: |
| 2022 | Every Little Kiss (from 'Fresh Gherkin', Bruce Hornsby Tribute Compilation) |
Aniko | Drums; Electric Piano Intro; Mastering; Production |
| 2022 | Long Tall Cool One (from 'Fresh Gherkin', Bruce Hornsby Tribute Compilation) |
Aniko | Backup Vocals; Mastering; Production |
| 2017 | Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds | Aniko | Drums; Mastering; Production |
| 2014 | The Way It Is (from 'Shadow Hands', Bruce Hornsby Tribute Compilation) |
Cruize Henderson | Mastering; Production |
| 2014 | Look Out Any Window (from 'Shadow Hands', Bruce Hornsby Tribute Compilation) |
Aniko | Synthesizer; Drums; Mastering; Production |
| 2011 | Rainbow's Cadillac (from 'Salivate', Bruce Hornsby Tribute Compilation) |
Cruize Henderson | Vocals; Mastering; Production |
| 2011 | Talk of the Town (from 'Salivate', Bruce Hornsby Tribute Compilation) |
Aniko | Drums; Mastering; Production |
| Studio Albums | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: | Title: | Artist: | Contribution: |
| 2006 | MoonWaves | Project One | Songwriting; Vocals; Tenor Guitar; Drums; Programming |
Future Projects [edit]
Encouraged by a newfound incentive provided by recovery, along with a lifestyle now dedicated to the following of a spiritual path, mwForman’s reborn determination to bring his music to the masses has set him at long last upon a solo album project. It is entitled PHANTAZUMA; and is an inspired and eclectic collection of his best songwriting and vocal performances, dating from the mid-seventies through the present day. It is currently being recorded, mixed and mastered at MoonMix Studios.
PHANTAZUMA will feature Project One comrade Eric 'Cruize' Henderson, along with performances from indie studio/touring greats such as Brent Mason (Shania Twain; Firefall; Alison Krauss), Jeff Lorber, Blair Masters (Casting Crowns; CeCe Winans), Dow Tomlin, Stuart Duncan and Jon Herrington (Steely Dan). It will also feature saxophonist James 'Big Jim' Doyle (with whom Mark played alongside in the 60's/70's cover band Flashback), as well as backup vocal performances from Eryn Shewell (Bernard Purdie Band), Eva Hargis (3~26), Aniko (Project One); and MoonWaves guest vocalist (& self-titled 'boop girl') Sunny Greenberg . Much of the original artwork incorporated into the CD’s design will be that of John R. Edgar (Other Studios), one of Mark’s earliest colleagues; and lifelong best friend until his death in 1996 (and who is regarded as one of the great undiscovered underground cartoonists of the 1960’s and ‘70’s).
The CD is due out in 2024 on Lunar Records.
