Check Out Mark Anthony Brooker’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Anthony Brooker

Hi Mark Anthony, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The experiences of my childhood were quite instrumental in me becoming the artist I am today. Being raised in the Baptist church I had an early introduction to gospel music. And my mother who is a singer set the standard for me. On most mornings during my childhood, I woke up to the smell of bacon frying and Tressie Berniece singing gospel in the kitchen as she cooked breakfast. Usually Mahalia. There was always music in the house. I remember us having a Zenith stereo console that played records and 8 track tapes. It seemed we had 8 track tapes of several artists in the 1960’s and 70’s black music catalog. On the tv we watched nearly every music show from Soul Train to Lawrence Welk Show.

Jr. Highschool is where my basic music education began. Brookdale high school, under the direction of Kenneth T. Jackson Sr. I learned percussion then switched to the b flat clarinet which I played throughout high school. I was highly influenced by my high school band director Mr. Dwight McMillan Sr. He introduced me to Jazz, concert music and marching band music, syncopation, sight reading and listening. He was a true jazz man.

After graduating from Highschool I attended South Carolina State College one of the HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) in my hometown of Orangeburg, SC. I was a Professional Biology student with plans of becoming a doctor. I also was a member of a rap trio called Rapp Network. Shout out to Gangsta SD and Tee Apollo! After my first year of college, a high school buddy, Willis Blume Jr. asked me if I’d be interested in joining his band as a sax player. I told him “I play clarinet, but the fingerings can’t be that much different.” I was a terrible saxophonist back them. Ha ha.

Willis’ parents, Willis Sr. And Linda Kay Blume ran The Willis Blume Agency, one of the largest entertainment agencies on the east coast at that time. They were wonderful to me. I had fully intended to join the band as a sax player, but the guys in the band discovered something that I already knew. That I could sing! And because the band’s repertoire consisted of some of the same songs I grew up listening to back in the early 70s on 8 track tapes. (In SC its called beach music within the circuit we performed). We played proms, bar mitzvahs, and private parties.

I was one of the founding members and one of three lead singers of the band called, The Kicks! We were a top beach music band in SC with several recordings. Best wishes to my old band mates Willis, Bebo, Vic, Ron, Randy, Jeff and Mike on sound. Man, what great memories. After a few years, The Kicks went on to do a DOD tour traveling to Spain, Greece, Turkey without me. I chose not to go on tour, instead stayed in school, left school, got married and joined the Army. My sweet and wonderful daughter Amani.

After the Army, I recorded a jazz cd called “Influences, a collection of ten of my favorite jazz standards. By the way, I will be releasing the 25th Anniversary of “Influences” this year. Remastered by Evren Goknar.

In Macon, Ga I had a very spiritual music experience. Musically speaking, I found my soul in Macon, Ga. I performed frequently with my Band, Mark Brooker and the Soul Proprietors. I wrote an homage to Macon, Ga called, Macon, Georgia(Good enough for me). Yes, me Jerry, Walter, Emel and Robert did our thing. Lot’s of great memories in that beautiful city. What up Newt? Newt Collier was one of the original horn players for Sam and Dave. And a great friend and mentor.

The Neokats! Was a rock band I fronted. We co-wrote and recorded a tune, “Peace of mind.” Kenny, Jeff, Jason I’m still waiting to jam with you again.

In 2009 I moved to Los Angeles and continued to work as a cytologist at various hospitals in the LA area. I had stopped performing for 9 years after moving to LA. It was just before the pandemic that I started to perform live shows again. And like a lot of musicians and entertainers during the Covid-19 pandemic, I used the time in isolation to create. So, I bought a keyboard and recording equipment and wrote and recorded music at home and in studio at 4th St. Recording in Santa Monica. I am constantly in the process of creating music. Hey, Kathleen Wirt and Sejo Navajas! I have made some good music there, thanks to some of LA’s kind, supportive and cool musicians and singers who I personally believe to be geniuses of their craft. Like my friend Nolan Shaeed, I recorded my first original Christmas song in his Studio. Nolan is a jazz world class jazz trumpeter and at one period was Marvin Gaye’s music director. My album, “The Soul Proprietor” drops soon.

I love LA! I believe I was led here for a purpose. A special purpose I feel I have yet to discover. Then again, maybe I already have. I am a singer-cytologist who found himself in LA who just happens to be living in the house once owned by one of the greatest Grammy winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame blues singers of all times as I make my way day to day through the city of LA driving the 20 year old Jaguar that once belonged to an iconic singer/pianist hitmaker of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Random? Well, I’ll just say this- At last, I hear Laughter in the rain.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Obstacles and challenges are unavoidable, that’s life. Especially when it comes to the music business. As a singer my challenges in the past had to do with being accepted. You now, trying to mold myself into who I thought the industry decision-makers would find appealing. In this way, I became my greatest obstacle. Being my authentic self has freed me. I began to honor and accept my god given talent and ability as unique to me. For better or worse, while still being able to accept advice and criticism of those who mean well.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
During my 8-year enlistment in the Army, I attended the Brooke Army Medical Center where I became a cytologist. Cytologists study human cells microscopically to detect precancerous conditions, cancerous conditions and inflammatory disease in every organ system of the body. One of the important aspects of my work as a cytologist is the screening of cervical Pap smears. Because of the work my colleagues and I do around the world, cervical cancer rates have fallen over the years. Although, as of late there has been a surge in the rates of cervical cancer so screening continues to be very important.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I am generally a happy person. On occasion I am not happy. During the times I am not happy, I sing. Singing makes me happy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://markabrooker.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/realswank_finatra
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@markanthonybrooker
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0o4Bl5KQQ9aafQfWx2uNCo?si=35LIPpcyROOc6FtTAyiuJw

Image Credit:

Formal: Ada Medrano

Casual: Christina Gandolfo