Gerry Markman
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Gerry Markman, is a noted Canadian guitarist and a manager of Steve's Music Store, Toronto. His particularly notable musical associations have been with The Cameo Blues Band, The Lincolns, Richard "Hock" Walsh and Alannah Myles.
Biography
Gerry Markman was born August 16, 1950 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He began playing guitar at age 12, learning from his sister, Mirel. He remembers the folky influence she had on him and to this day is jokingly quoted as saying: "D, A7 and G, the only chords you'll ever need."
Over the next 15 years, Markman toured and recorded with the Max Band and Dandy Batt. His single, "The Flying Dutchman", became a cult favourite.
In 1977 he moved to Toronto, Ontario to open the second location of Steve's Music Store and left performing for a while. He was coaxed out of 'retirement' by Bob Segarini and left Steve's Music in 1981 to devote himself entirely to music, playing guitar for Marghie Evans, Pamela Cannon and numerous jobbing gigs, TV shows and sessions. Gerry joined the Cameo Blues Band with Malcolm Tomlinson in 1982 and later toured with The Lincolns, opening for the late Robert Palmer. Gerry returned to Toronto and played with The Alannah Myles Band, Tom Barlow and the late Richard "Hock" Walsh. On special occasions, Markman has also performed with legends Dan Aykroyd and the late Jeff Healey. His recording credits include Rosenshontz (Its The Truth), Michael Vincent (Home In The Forest), Tapestry (I Need Your Lovin') and Ron Wiseman (Mystical Mood).
In 1991 Markman returned to Steve's Music and continued playing with The Gerry Markman Band, The French Connection and Curley Bridges. He led The Ruanne's House Band in Barrie, hosting dozens of Ontario's finest musicians as guests and twice was musical director for the Barrie Music Awards. He became the driving force of the rockin' blues band The Sensations, based out of Orillia, Ontario.
Gerry still plays with The Sensations, Malcolm Tomlinson and occasionally the Partland Brothers. He still does sessions and also performs as a solo acoustic artist. Gerry recently played with Jimmy Hall, former lead singer of Wet Willie.
Gerry was profiled in the January, 2008 issue of CMT (Canada Music Trades) magazine.
Gerry is the uncle of acclaimed hurdy-gurdy artist, Ben Grossman.