Mark Riley & Friends
Mark was born into a very musical family in Lake Loon, just outside of Dartmouth. Following in his father’s footsteps, who sang well into his 80’s, singing and playing guitar in church and gospel groups. Along with 9 brothers and sisters, Mark grew up singing in choirs, gospel groups and family sing a longs. Mark in his younger days also played in a few bands in Toronto, including Sharman Hayman, Simply Pleasure, Two Shades, Cash Money Brothers and in Halifax- East Coast Posse, Brother to Brother, and Reflections.

On returning to Nova Scotia Mark joined the ECMA Award winning Nova Scotia Mass Choir as a Tenor and a Soloist. He then joined the Band Shoulder to Shoulder as a fill-in drummer, sang one song and the rest was history. Mark then formed the Mark Riley Band, going through various members, the group eventually changed their name to the Mark Riley Project, which still remains one of the busiest bands in the Nova Scotia area. P.M. Blues is another one of Mark’s bands which was soon after established, and primarily plays Blues and Old school funk.

Mark Riley, with many working music groups, then formed The Mark Riley Quartet. The Mark Riley Quartet (originally named the “High Tide Shuffle Jazz Crew”…..but the name was obviously too long..haha) was and is the jazz band that is fully musical and operational.