The Mars Trio

Saxophonist – Rich Van Voorst

-R — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:04:07 +0000

An active saxophonist and composer/arranger primarily in the Tampa Bay area, Rich has performed all over the United States as well as in Europe where he performed at the Vienne, Montreux, and North Sea Jazz Festivals. He has accompanied and recorded with such artists as Richard Davis, Jack Wilkins, Steve Davis, Jim McNeely, “Blue” Lou Marini, Chris Vidala, Larue Nickelson, Michael Ross, Tom Carabasi, O Som Do Jazz, The Dan McMillian Jazz Orchestra, and The Don Juceum Orchestra. Rich also directs and performs regularly with his own groups, The Mars Trio, Van Voorst Jazz Quartet, and The Forefront.

As a composer, Rich studied under world renowned jazz composer, Chuck Owen, at the University of South Florida and has experience writing for big bands, various jazz combos, orchestras, choirs, worship music, as well as other chamber groups. From 2004-2008, Rich was a teaching assistant, instructor, and adjunct professor at USF while completing a Masters of Music in Jazz Composition and Jazz Performance. He received his B.M. from Hope College in Holland Michigan where he was awarded the Distinguished Artist Scholarship. In 2006, he was selected by the Center for Jazz Composition at the University of South Florida to arrange a piece for Karrin Allison for the Jazz Masterworks Series.

Rich is currently currently teaches at Trinity College of Florida as an adjunct professor of worship studies and saxophone performance. In his spare time, Rich enjoys gourmet cooking, good conversation over a fresh cup of coffee and spending time with his wife Bonnie.

Drummer – Mark Feinman

-R — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:29:07 +0000

Mark Feinman is a drummer from the Tampa Bay area. He has had the opportunity to play with many talented musicians. Mark has extensive performance experience ranging from private engagements and musical theater to various concert venues including a big band tour of Italy and France with performances at the “Umbria Jazz Festival” and “Jazz a Juan” in Juan Les Pins. Mark has studied Jazz Performance, first at the University of South Florida and then at SUNY Purchase in New York. He currently lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Mark Feinman is a professional drummer and drum teacher from the Tampa Bay area. He has had the opportunity to play with many talented musicians. Mark has extensive performance experience ranging from private engagements and musical theater to various concert venues including a big band tour of Italy and France with performances at the “Umbria Jazz Festival” and “Jazz a Juan” in Juan Les Pins. Mark has studied Jazz Performance, first at the University of South Florida and then at SUNY Purchase in New York. With very diverse stylistic talents, Mark keeps an active performance schedule in addition to being a highly sought-after private instructor and clinician. He currently lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Bassist – Alejandro Arenas

-R — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:28:24 +0000

Alejandro Arenas was born in Medellin,Colombia where he started his musical career playing Flamenco and Classical guitar. He picked up the bass while he attended the Colegio Andino/Deutsche Schule in Bogota where he performed in the Salsa and Andean Music ensembles as well as the school’s orchestra. During his High School years he performed with different independent bands with styles ranging from Salsa to Blues to Rock to Heavy Metal. Upon graduating High School he moved to Gainesville, FL. There he worked as a freelance musician while being exposed to different genres such as Reggae, Jazz and Funk. He earned an A.A in Music Studies from Santa Fe Community College where he worked unpacking books in the morning, studying during the day and playing gigs by night. In the midst of this chaotic time in his life he developed a deep love for Jazz which drove him to learn to play the Upright Bass and to get a B.M. in Jazz Performance from the University of South Florida. During his studies at USF he toured Italy and France with the Jazz Ensemble 1 and the Jazztet performing at different Jazz festivals such as Umbria and Juan Les Pines. He also had the opportunity to perform alongside internationally recognized jazz musicians such as Conrad Herwig, Randy Brecker, Tim Armacost and Wycliffe Gordon. Currently, Alejandro is the adjunct professor of bass at St. Peterburg College for the Music Industry Recording Arts (M.I.R.A) program, which is directed to teaching recording technology and different commercial styles of music.

He currently works as a freelance musician in the Tampa Bay area performing with different artists including Kym Purling, Joanna Rose, Jack Wilkins, Steve Davis, Michael Royal, Hot Sun Quartet, Buster Cooper, The Mars Trio, The Freetime Trio, Denise Moore and Then Some, The Don Juceam Orchestra, Stan Hunter, Tahuantinsuyo, Modern Guitar Quintet, O Som Do Jazz, and many more. He has successfully made Tampa Bay his home with the help of his amazing wife Lindsay, a wall-eating schnoodle named Stella, his extremely supportive family and in-laws and a Green Card that he probably got by accident. When not playing music, he spends his days having paranoid thoughts of deportation that he manages to quiet down by listening to Hector Lavoe, Miles Davis and Slayer… simultaneously.

Media & Audio

-R — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:56:13 +0000

Here are a few examples of our sound. We hope you enjoy.

“My Romance”

Rich Van Voorst (s.), Alejandro Arenas (b.), Mark Feinman (d.)

“Alone Together”

Rich Van Voorst (s.), Alejandro Arenas (b.), Mark Feinman (d.)

“Impressions”

Rich Van Voorst (s.), Alejandro Arenas (b.), Mark Feinman (d.)

“Stella”

Rich Van Voorst (s.), Alejandro Arenas (b.), Steve Davis (d.), John Oleary (p.)

“No Greater Love”

Rich Van Voorst (s.), Alejandro Arenas (b.), Steve Davis (d.), John Oleary (p.)

“Body & Soul”

Rich Van Voorst (s.), Alejandro Arenas (b.), Steve Davis (d.), John Oleary (p.)