Mark Zaden:
Portrait of an Artist Breaking Through

Musical artists are born with the ability to look within themselves and reflect humanity in ways that are both familiar and revealing. They present their art in memorable and moving ways, often providing the soundtracks for our lives.

From the time Mark Zaden picked up a guitar more than 20 years ago, the Florida-born singer/songwriter has been honing his ability to create and perform that soundtrack, touching many lives along the way.

With strong guitar chops, a deft songwriting touch and a beautiful voice that is both breathtaking and heartbreaking, Zaden has become a celebrated artist, playing to thousands of people each year.

A Musical Love Affair

Zaden's love affair with music was sparked in his childhood by his parents: his mother used to sing Beatles songs to him as a boy and his father is an accomplished vocalist. Like many kids learning to play their instruments, Zaden enjoyed the garage band days of his youth. Later, during his early years at the University of Alabama, he toured the Southeast as the lead guitarist in a rock -n- roll cover band. Soon, he put down the electric guitar and began performing acoustically. His life began to change and he started recording the songs he'd written. These were the first steps down the path of his musical future.

Green Enough to Grow

Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, the Beatles and, most recently, Dave Matthews, Zaden's style of songwriting juxtaposes a sensitive view of the human condition - especially relationships -- with a hard roots-rock edge. On his two CDs -- Six Is Fine (1998) and the recently released Green Enough to Grow (2001), Zaden's soulful vocals soar over guitar work featuring his longtime New York City-based collaborator Nunzio Signore.

The lyrics and arrangements on Green Enough to Grow are inventive while staying within the pop genre, resulting in songs that are insightful, intelligent and accessible. The CD is crisply produced, well played and professionally packaged. It includes soon-to-be-classics such as "Here In My Mind," "Gabriella" and the moving "Goodbye Avalon," which stunningly closes the recording.

Longtime friend and producer Nunzio Signore recorded the 11-song CD at The Crib studio in Brooklyn, New York. Signore joined Zaden on vocals and guitar parts, and the two shared some of the songwriting and most of the production.