Mark Dresser is a Grammy nominated, internationally renowned bass player, improviser, and composer. At the core of his music is an obsession and commitment to expanding the sonic, musical, and expressive possibilities of the contrabass. He has recorded over one hundred-fifty CDs including ten CDs as composer/bandleader, seven solo recordings and a DVD. His solo recording, “Tines of Change” was listed in the “Best Recordings of 2023” by Downbeat Magazine. His latest, solo recording In the Shadow of A Mad King features a duo with the late great poet Jerome Rothenberg, (Tzadik 2024). From 1985 to 1994, he was a member of Anthony Braxton’s Quartet. He has also performed and recorded music of Ray Anderson, Jane Ira Bloom, Tim Berne, Anthony Davis, Dave Douglas, Osvaldo Golijov, Gerry Hemingway, Lei Liang, Denman Maroney, Bob Ostertag, Joe Lovano, Roger Reynolds, Henry Threadgill, Dawn Upshaw, John Zorn. Since 2007 he has been deeply involved in telematic music performance and education. He was awarded a 2015 & 2018 Shifting Foundation Award and 2015 Doris Duke Impact Award. He is a former board member of the International Society of Bassists. He is a Distinguished Professor of Music at UC San Diego.