Schatz, Mark

MARK SCHATZ

  • From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts (near Boston). Lives in Nashville.
  • First band: Mandala, a folk dance group.
  • Has played bass with Tasty Licks, Spectrum, the Tony Rice Unit and the Bluegrass Album Band.
  • 1990-1997, played bass with Tim and Mollie O’Brien as one of the O’Boys. He continues to work with Tim and Mollie on selected dates.
  • Also plays clawhammer-style banjo (his banjo is heard on theme music for the IBMA awards show.)
  • 1995, released Brand New Old Tyme Way album (Rounder).
  • Is an accomplished dancer; serves as musical director for the dance troupe Footworks. In 1996, he performed with the hit show Riverdance.
  • 1998, formed a side band with Tim O’Brien, Jerry Douglas and Charlie Cushman called The Flatt Heads.
  • 1994, 1995, won IBMA award for Bass Player of the Year.
  • 2003, began performing regularly (on bass) with Nickel Creek.
  • 2006, released Steppin’ in the Boiler House album featuring his clawhammer banjo playing & original songs.
  • 2008, joined the Claire Lynch band.
  • 2014, re-joined Nickel Creek for their 25th anniversary tour.