2/26/2009

I came across a post on Blog in Dm by Shalom on March 27, 2008 in which he inquires about the musicians on the first Mark 3 album recorded on June 13 1966. I’m delighted that the album is still listened to 43 years later. Before I answer Shalom’s question, here is some background.

Jordan Penkower and I were students at Yeshiva University High School in Washington Heights, NY from 1956-1960. He and I would get together and perform during those years, he on alto sax and I on accordion. In 1960, we met Ben Hulkower, a drummer, in Camp HILI in White Lake, New York . We frequently performed for the camp that summer. That summer, the Mark 3 was born. Six years later, with the release of The New Jewish Sound, The Mark 3 Orchestra and Singers, the group became one of the most popular Jewish musical groups, frequently performing at NCSY(National Conference for Synagogue Youth) conventions as well as weddings, bar mitzvahs and concerts througout the country.

Shalom is correct in that the entire album was performed “live” in the studio in one day. What is not generally known is that the album had been previously recorded over, I believe, two days. However, due to technical problems involving microphones being out of phase and not discovered until after the entire recording was done, the entire album had to be re-recorded. And yes, we did that in one day, all playing at the same time.

And now to the musicians on the album; Ben Hulkower on drums, Jordan Penkower on alto sax and myself on accordion. We were the founders of the Mark 3. Also performing on the album was Chizik Epstein, of the Epstein Brothers, on clarinet, Harvey Goldin on tenor sax, clarinet(on Mizmor L’Dovid) and flute(on Dabeir Eilai Bifrachim), Hy Simon on trombone, Jack(or is it Frank?) Leone on electric guitar, and Rick Heckendorn on String Bass. Singing on the album were Mike Chernick and Jackie Gross.

If there are any other questions regarding The Mark 3, ask away and I’ll be glad to respond to the best of my memory!