The Detroit Jazz Project is the creation of Mark Hershberger who began studying Jazz and playing in the University AFRAM Big learning from greats including Marcus Belgrave, Sam Sanders, Jimmy Allen, Doc Holiday, and Ed Pickens. The big band hosted special guest legends such as the Jones brothers. He later studied Jazz and Classical Music and played in the Jazz and Concert Bands at Eastern Michigan University. During and after attending The University of Michigan, Mark led and played in multiple Jazz groups in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Mark began playing professionally as a solo artist and in small latin jazz groups and then formed a music publishing company in 1980. He performed in Motown with STAX greats such as “Sam and Dave” and Cecil Womack.
In his early twenties he began in Ann Arbor playing Jazz clubs such as Del Rio, Jazz West, Delta Lady, The Ark, and The Ann Arbor Art Fair. Through the years of performing and recording he expanded his
reach and performed at historic Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit and The Flint Jazz Festival as well as the legendary Bert’s Place and The Detroit International Jazz Festival. He also performed venues in Ann Arbor and in London. Mark has worked with artists such as Gayleynn McKinny, Ibrahim Jones, Jerry LeDuff, Badal Roy, Martha Reeves, George Clinton, Marion Hayden, Michael Colone and Muruga Booker.to name a few. He has earned a Detroit Music Award for “Outstanding World Recording Group” with artist Muruga Booker as well as “Outstanding Modern Jazz Group” with The Detroit Jazz Project.