Mark Schatz

Mark L. Schatz (born April 23, 1955) is an American bassist, banjoist, mandolinist, guitarist, clogger, and hambone performer who has recorded on albums for and toured with artists including Bela Fleck, Nickel Creek, Jerry Douglas, Maura O'Connell, Tony Rice, John Hartford, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Tim O'Brien, and Renée Fleming.

Background Schatz was born into a musical family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts, near Boston.

From 1973 to 1978 he studied music theory and composition at Haverford College, after which he studied for a year at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He relocated to Nashville, Tennessee in 1983.

Career Mark Schatz is a two time International Bluegrass Music Association Bass Player of the Year award winner. Schatz toured and recorded with progressive acoustic trio Nickel Creek. Schatz is also a solo artist who has recorded two solo albums on Rounder Records, his debut produced by Bela Fleck. His band, "Mark Schatz & Friends," is composed of Schatz, Casey Driessen, Missy Raines, and Jim Hurst. Schatz has produced albums for various bluegrass artists including The Duhks, and has recorded with Nefesh Mountain.

Discography

Solo 1995: Brand New Old Tyme Way 2006: Steppin' in the Boilerhouse

With Danny Knicely and Wyatt Rice 2014: Waltz for Aimee

With Bryan McDowell 2021: Grit & Polish

With Rudi Ekstein's All Original Bluegrass Instrumental Showcase, Stuart Duncan, and Jeff Autry 2018: Carolina Chimes

With Tim O’Brien and The O’Boys 1993: Oh Boy! O'Boy! 1995: Rock In My Shoe

With The Claire Lynch Band 2014: Holiday!

With Spectrum 1980: Opening Roll 1981: Last Concert (Live In Japan) 1982: It's Too Hot For Words

With Nickel Creek 2005: Why Should the Fire Die? 2006: Reasons Why: The Very Best 2014: A Dotted Line

With Tasty Licks 1978: Tasty Licks 1979: Anchored To The Shore

With The Bluegrass Album Band 1989: Sweet Sunny South - The Bluegrass Album Band Volume 5

With The Hartford String Band 1999: Good Old Boys (with John Hartford)

With The John Hartford String Band 2010: Memories Of John