Mark Isham (born September 7, 1951) is an American trumpeter, synthesist, a… Read Full Bio ↴Mark Isham (born September 7, 1951) is an American trumpeter, synthesist, and composer. He works in a variety of genres, including jazz, electronic, and film.
Isham was born in New York City. He studied classical music at an early age and played trumpet, piano and violin. The Isham family later moved to San Francisco, where Mark found work in several of the local orchestras. He also became actively involved in the Bay Area rock and roll scene of the 1960s, performing live with several of the local groups.
One of his early recordings "Group 87" was released as a demo LP to college radio stations. Few commercially available pressings of this first release are available > though several custom CD burns (CBS/Sony denies existence, but providing the label & issue number through their custom burn service known as [SONY MUSIC SPECIAL PRODUCTS] can be had)!> I believe this is "THE DEFINITIVE ISHAM" against all others will be judged! One other Group 87 album followed titled "A Career in Dada Processing", a reflection attesting to the learning curve associated with the emerging CD Format. It was released with very limited availability. Both albums in the "Group 87" moniker are a bit mechanical, utilizing heavy sampling, forceful sequencing, strong percussion and a progressive edginess as compared to the later Isham releases. Mark Isham next released his self-titled "Vapor Drawings", softening the stylings of the group, but with a emphasis on his trumpeting skills, that as they matured developed into the sound that would be identified as his own unique sound. He has a MYSPACE page currently, where all available recordings can be ordered.
His albums Castalia (1988) and Tibet (1989) were both Grammy-nominated. He won in 1990 with his album Mark Isham.
In 1992 he published his first orchestral work Five Stories for Trumpet and Orchestra. The same year he earned an Academy Award nomination for the soundtrack of the film A River Runs Through It. During the following years he became a prolific film score composer. Some of his film scores include: Save the Last Dance, Men of Honor, October Sky, Point Break, and the critically acclaimed Crash which won well over 30 awards worldwide, including the Oscar for Best Achievement in Editing, Best Motion Picture of the Year and Best Writing/Original Screenplay, and many soundtrack awards.
In 1995 he released an album titled Blue Sun. This was his first album to follow a mainstream contemporary jazz format.
In 1999 he formed a group to interpret the music of Miles Davis's late 1960s through mid-1970s electric jazz fusion and released an album, Miles Remembered: The Silent Way Project, which was recorded live.
Isham was born in New York City. He studied classical music at an early age and played trumpet, piano and violin. The Isham family later moved to San Francisco, where Mark found work in several of the local orchestras. He also became actively involved in the Bay Area rock and roll scene of the 1960s, performing live with several of the local groups.
One of his early recordings "Group 87" was released as a demo LP to college radio stations. Few commercially available pressings of this first release are available > though several custom CD burns (CBS/Sony denies existence, but providing the label & issue number through their custom burn service known as [SONY MUSIC SPECIAL PRODUCTS] can be had)!> I believe this is "THE DEFINITIVE ISHAM" against all others will be judged! One other Group 87 album followed titled "A Career in Dada Processing", a reflection attesting to the learning curve associated with the emerging CD Format. It was released with very limited availability. Both albums in the "Group 87" moniker are a bit mechanical, utilizing heavy sampling, forceful sequencing, strong percussion and a progressive edginess as compared to the later Isham releases. Mark Isham next released his self-titled "Vapor Drawings", softening the stylings of the group, but with a emphasis on his trumpeting skills, that as they matured developed into the sound that would be identified as his own unique sound. He has a MYSPACE page currently, where all available recordings can be ordered.
His albums Castalia (1988) and Tibet (1989) were both Grammy-nominated. He won in 1990 with his album Mark Isham.
In 1992 he published his first orchestral work Five Stories for Trumpet and Orchestra. The same year he earned an Academy Award nomination for the soundtrack of the film A River Runs Through It. During the following years he became a prolific film score composer. Some of his film scores include: Save the Last Dance, Men of Honor, October Sky, Point Break, and the critically acclaimed Crash which won well over 30 awards worldwide, including the Oscar for Best Achievement in Editing, Best Motion Picture of the Year and Best Writing/Original Screenplay, and many soundtrack awards.
In 1995 he released an album titled Blue Sun. This was his first album to follow a mainstream contemporary jazz format.
In 1999 he formed a group to interpret the music of Miles Davis's late 1960s through mid-1970s electric jazz fusion and released an album, Miles Remembered: The Silent Way Project, which was recorded live.
On The Threshold Of Liberty
Mark Isham Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Mark Isham:
Ain't That a Shame You made me cry when you said goodbye Ain't that a…
Blue Moon Blue moon you saw me standing alone Without a dream in…
Bye Bye Blackbird No one here can love or understand me Oh, what hard…
In A Sentimental Mood In A Sentimental Mood I can see the stars come…
In the Deep Thought you had All the answers to Rest your heart upon …
It's All In The Game Many a tear has to fall but it's all in…
Just Another Way of Dying Living in fear, is just another way of dying before…
Maybe Tomorrow I've been down and I'm wondering why These little black clou…
Moritat See the shark with teeth like razors You can read his…
Racing Stripes Did you ever have a dream that you were running?…
Rumplestiltskin in Love I'm in the mood for love Simply because you're near me. Funn…
Searchin' (Gonna find her) (Gonna find her) (Gonna find her) (Gonna fi…
Speedo Bom, bom, bom, Bom, bom, bom, Bom, bom, bom, bom. Now they …
Swing Me High Swing Me Low You are forever in my life You see me through the…
That'll Be the Day Well, that'll be the day, when you say goodbye Yes, that'll…
They Can't Take That Away from Me The way you wear your hat The way you sip your…
Yakety Yak Take out the papers and the trash Or you don't get…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@DonB.-Mulefivefive
I've listen to this repeatedly through the years.
More so in the now closing months
This elicits scenes of one of two , of the only stories he related to me regarding the Korean War 1950-1953.
He served as an Amy Military Police ( MP ) then , 1951-1953 , lied about his age and had his mom sign off on the papers.
All over duty, country honor.
I'll say this, when you hear the strains of a far off bugle in the dawn, or dusk hours, have a thought or two for the ones who made this possible now today.
Thank you for posting .
Very much
9th Infantry
Old Reliable' s
@DonB.-Mulefivefive
I've listen to this repeatedly through the years.
More so in the now closing months
This elicits scenes of one of two , of the only stories he related to me regarding the Korean War 1950-1953.
He served as an Amy Military Police ( MP ) then , 1951-1953 , lied about his age and had his mom sign off on the papers.
All over duty, country honor.
I'll say this, when you hear the strains of a far off bugle in the dawn, or dusk hours, have a thought or two for the ones who made this possible now today.
Thank you for posting .
Very much
9th Infantry
Old Reliable' s
@PHEG1912
In Loving Memory of William Friedkin (1935-2023)
@robmcclurg5915
Playing this piece repeatedly for my class of fifth graders I asked for stories that the music would accompany or even enhance. One child couldn’t contain himself, shouting “It’s triumphant!”
@davidshockey914
We used this as our sign off music when I worked at a PBS station in the mid 1980’s. Also proud to say that Mark and I are descendants of John Cooke, the last surviving male from the Mayflower
@ericpatterson6031
This was the music to the documentary The Making of Liberty in 1986. It was awesome.
@InfamousPhilUsedToBe
Yup... and I just found it here after more than 30yrs of searching. Title of this march(?) was unknown until now. Ken Burns was no help but am grateful that he chose this piece.
@MD0100
I wanted to serve my country... I couldn't wait to fight my first war
@jmferris1138
i used to hear this on The Weather Channel back in the 1980s during the local forecast on the 8's. Had no idea what the tune was called or who performed it until today. Both haunting and heroic.
@Mauricio4612
About three decades ago on Radio Vision 91.7 fm in Quito, a program called "New Age" was aired, directed by Gloria Paz.
He always plays this song, truly unforgettable, Nothing to do Mark Isham is a great exponent of this musical style, most memorable moments I remember when listening to this song, unforgettable, although at times nostalgic
@32anna2538
Always reminded of the battlefield after the fight was over. The heat rising while the warriors carried their dead queen in a palanquin. Had to look that word up.