Mark Cristofaro

Biography

Mark Cristofaro is a versatile drummer and percussionist based in the greater Philadelphia/Delaware Valley area. He has performed with many talented and well-established bands, symphony orchestras, singing groups, theater companies, and other mixed ensembles. A former student of Charlie Tappan of Lou Rose Music Center in Edison, New Jersey, his reading and rudimental training began at the early age of 6. He later studied big band and combo chart reading with Dennis Nardone of Sayreville, New Jersey. Mark was awarded first chair in the Central Jersey High School Wind Ensemble in 1980, and later went on to win First Chair in the New Jersey All-State Wind Ensemble, and also the New Jersey All-State Orchestra that same year. He was also awarded 2nd place in the New Jersey All-State Jazz Ensemble in 1981.

After high school, Mark attended Jersey City State College and studied with Broadway percussionist Nick Cerrato and Elden "Buster" Bailey, principal percussionist with the New York Philharmonic. Other instructors included Lou Oddo, John Fedderson, Larry Spivack, and Scott Bleaken. This intense training prepared Mark for an audition for the President’s Own Marine Band in 1983, were he advanced to the last five finalists.

After college, Mark was an active freelancer performing on drum set, timpani, mallet instruments, and teaching and coaching marching percussion groups. He then was discovered by the show and review group, Chatterband, in 1984 and performed in Atlantic City and all over the New Jersey and Philadelphia areas extensively till 1992. He also was part of the Philadelphia funk sensation group, Dazzy Dee and the Fabulous Uptown Band whom also performed extensively in Philadelphia and in Atlantic City showrooms. Other groups he has performed with include The Big Push, The Quake, The Exceptions, Tony Malandro, Jungle Boogie, The Billy Light Rock-a Billy Trio, The Tamer Tewfic Jazz Trio, and the CTO orchestras.

Mark’s ability and versatility in reading music has made him an in demand percussionist in the arena of musical theater. He has performed countless musicals with such highly acclaimed theater companies like the Arden Theater Company of Philadelphia, the Media Theater of Performing Arts in Media, Pennsylvania, the Walnut Street Theater of Philadelphia, The Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center in Marlton, New Jersey, Act II Playhouse in Ambler, Pennsylvania, 1812 Productions in Philadelphia, and Buck’s County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania to name a few.

Mark also divides his time with the City Lights Orchestra, a versatile and talented dance and show band that has performed regionally in New York, central, north and eastern Pennsylvania, the eastern shores of Maryland, as well as the lounges and showrooms of Atlantic City. He even displays his singing talents along with playing drum set to sequential tracks.

Mark would like to cite that his inspiration comes from all the teachers that he has studied with as well as his family whom supported him throughout this wild ride.

A special thanks to Andrew DeNicola, band director at John P. Stevens High School in Edison, New Jersey for showing him how rewarding and satisfying expressing yourself through music can be. There is no doubt that this wonderful man changed Mark’s life.