"Mighty Mark" Mark Huth, Saxophone
Mark grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he began playing horn when he was 9 years old. He moved to St. Louis in 1982 and began playing in his high school band. It was in his sophomore year that he discovered jazz improvisation and when his saxophone became his constant travel companion. "I would skip lunch period at school and go to the band room to practice. I would play along with recordings by Bunky Green and Houston Persons." Mark's obsession with playing saxophone often caused him to go to extremes to practice. "Many weekend nights, I would break into school to practice my horn. The security guard would eventually catch me and send me home."

Mark's interest in music went beyond the saxophone. He played guitar in rock bands during his high school years. During his senior year in high school in 1986, he was hired by Craig Cervantes and worked with his band for a short time. Right after graduation, Mark went to New Orleans where he played his horn in Jackson Square in the French Quarter. He then studied Jazz and Classical saxophone for a year at the University of Northern Colorado. Upon his returned to St. Louis he began playing with a jazz quintet and also played two years with The Meramec Jazz Band. It was there that he met a St. Louis icon, Corky Blake. "Corky has been my greatest influence. I love the way he combines Jazz and R&B into his playing style." Mark began playing with another St. Louis notable, Marcel Strong. Jules Blattner heard him play with Marcel and offered him a job where he stayed for the next six years. He left Jules to join The Soul Reunion Band where he became the bandleader and played the next six years. "During these years I also played with Stonebreaker (Jimmy Stonebreaker) and spent some time on the road with Marty Balin.

In July of 2003 Mark learned that The Smash Band was considering hiring a third horn player. He decided to go for it and try something new, and here he is two years later.

One of the time honored traditions that defines one's membership in the Smash Band, is when The Smash dubs you with your own nickname. Mark is now known as "Mighty Mark."

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