Mark Masri
Encyclopedia
Mark Masri is a Canadian singer, songwriter and producer of pop, classical and inspirational songs. He also plays the piano. He is signed to EMI
record label. He has released four albums: Mark Masri, La Voce, Christmas Is..., and A Christmas Time with You, as well as a special US release: See My Face. He sings mainly in English, but has a multilingual repertoire of interpretations. On his album La Voce he sings a collection of classic songs in six languages.
immigrant father, a Pentecostal
minister, and a Canadian mother, a banker He moved with his family from Ontario to various locations including Quebec
and Nova Scotia
. He started singing in his father's small church near Antigonish, Nova Scotia, when he was nine. The family returned to Scarborough
, Ontario in the 1980s. At twelve he was singing in local churches and giving piano recitals. He led in many choirs and worked as a music producer for the CTS network
. When his job position was eliminated, he decided to devote all his time to music. In 2000 he released his first album, self-titled Mark Masri.
After Masri recorded a demo with Amy Sky
, on a song she thought might suit Jim Brickman
, he was very interested and invited Masri in 2008 to tour with him. They also collaborated on Brickman's hit "Christmas Is..." that reached #18 on Billboard
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks. Masri also appeared as a guest vocalist on Jim Brickman’s 2009 CD Faith, which was nominated for Best New Age Album at the Grammy Award
s.
He is married to Angela since 1998 and they have a son together.
2009: Christmas Is...
Tracklist
2009: See My Face
(only in the United States)
2010: La Voce
Tracklist
2010: A Christmas Time with You
Tracklist
2011: Intimo
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
record label. He has released four albums: Mark Masri, La Voce, Christmas Is..., and A Christmas Time with You, as well as a special US release: See My Face. He sings mainly in English, but has a multilingual repertoire of interpretations. On his album La Voce he sings a collection of classic songs in six languages.
History
Mark Masri was born to a LebaneseLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
immigrant father, a Pentecostal
Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism is a diverse and complex movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, has an eschatological focus, and is an experiential religion. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek...
minister, and a Canadian mother, a banker He moved with his family from Ontario to various locations including Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
and Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
. He started singing in his father's small church near Antigonish, Nova Scotia, when he was nine. The family returned to Scarborough
Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
, Ontario in the 1980s. At twelve he was singing in local churches and giving piano recitals. He led in many choirs and worked as a music producer for the CTS network
Crossroads Television System
Crossroads Television System, or CTS, is a privately held Canadian television system.CTS airs predominantly Christian-based religious programming, most notably 100 Huntley Street, The Michael Coren Show and LIFE Today with James & Betty Robison, as well as other religious and faith based...
. When his job position was eliminated, he decided to devote all his time to music. In 2000 he released his first album, self-titled Mark Masri.
After Masri recorded a demo with Amy Sky
Amy Sky
Amy Sky is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, theatre actress, and television host. Sky started classical music lessons at the age of five , and plays piano, guitar, cello and recorder....
, on a song she thought might suit Jim Brickman
Jim Brickman
Jim Brickman is an American songwriter and pianist. He has been named the most charted male Adult Contemporary artist to date, with six of his albums receiving Gold and Platinum status. He is known for his solo piano compositions, pop-style instrumentals, and vocal collaborations with artists...
, he was very interested and invited Masri in 2008 to tour with him. They also collaborated on Brickman's hit "Christmas Is..." that reached #18 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks. Masri also appeared as a guest vocalist on Jim Brickman’s 2009 CD Faith, which was nominated for Best New Age Album at the Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s.
He is married to Angela since 1998 and they have a son together.
Awards and nominations
- In 2001, nominated for a Juno AwardJuno Awards of 2001The Juno Awards of 2001 were held in Hamilton, Ontario Canada during the weekend of 3-4 March 2001.The primary ceremonies were hosted by Rick Mercer at Copps Coliseum on 4 March 2001 and broadcast on CBC Television...
in the category Best Gospel AlbumJuno Award for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the YearThe Juno Award for "Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year" has been awarded since 1994, as recognition each year for the best Christian/gospel music album in Canada...
for Mark Masri - In 2001, winner of the GMA Canada Covenant Award for
- Pop Album Of The Year: Mark Masri
- Contemporary Gospel Song Of The Year: "Dwell In The House"
- Pop Song Of The Year: "Take My Hand" (with Madeline Stone and Bernie Herms)
- In 2010, winner of the GMA Canada Covenant Award for three categories:
- Classical - Traditional Song of the Year for "Time" (Mark Masri featuring Nita Whitaker) (Mark Masri jointly with Amy SkyAmy SkyAmy Sky is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, theatre actress, and television host. Sky started classical music lessons at the age of five , and plays piano, guitar, cello and recorder....
)) - Classical - Traditional Album of the Year for La Voce
- Inspirational Song of the Year for "Hold On" ((Mark Masri jointly with Adam Crossley and John Acosta)
- Classical - Traditional Song of the Year for "Time" (Mark Masri featuring Nita Whitaker) (Mark Masri jointly with Amy Sky
In popular media
- In 2009, Mark Masri appeared in PBS Beautiful World, filmed at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. He shared the stage with Jim BrickmanJim BrickmanJim Brickman is an American songwriter and pianist. He has been named the most charted male Adult Contemporary artist to date, with six of his albums receiving Gold and Platinum status. He is known for his solo piano compositions, pop-style instrumentals, and vocal collaborations with artists...
, Jon SecadaJon SecadaJon Secada is a Cuban-American singer and songwriter. Secada was born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Hialeah, Florida. He has won two Grammy Awards and sold 20 million albums since his English-language debut album in 1992. His music fuses funk, soul, pop and Latin percussion...
, Melinda Doolittle, Órla Fallon, Arthur Hanlon, David Klinkenberg, Anne Cochran and Tracy Silverman. - On 15 October, he took part in Hitman Returns: David Foster and Friends Live singing love alongside Seal, Natalie Cole, Chaka Khan, Charice, Donna Summer, Canadian Tenors, Kenny G, Kathryn Joosten and others.
Albums
2001: Mark Masri (independent limited edition)2009: Christmas Is...
Tracklist
- Ave Maria
- O Holy Night
- Christmas Is (feat Jim BrickmanJim BrickmanJim Brickman is an American songwriter and pianist. He has been named the most charted male Adult Contemporary artist to date, with six of his albums receiving Gold and Platinum status. He is known for his solo piano compositions, pop-style instrumentals, and vocal collaborations with artists...
) - Every Time It Snows (feat Olivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
) - Panis Angelicus
- A Holy Child
- A Christmas Time With You
- Greatest Gift of All (Your Love) Amy SkyAmy Sky is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, theatre actress, and television host. Sky started classical music lessons at the age of five , and plays piano, guitar, cello and recorder....
) - Silent Night
- Lullaby, My Love
2009: See My Face
(only in the United States)
2010: La Voce
Tracklist
- Ce Sempre Musica
- Truly
- Hold On
- Caruso
- Fragilidad (Fragile) (feat Jon SecadaJon SecadaJon Secada is a Cuban-American singer and songwriter. Secada was born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Hialeah, Florida. He has won two Grammy Awards and sold 20 million albums since his English-language debut album in 1992. His music fuses funk, soul, pop and Latin percussion...
& Pavlo) - La Prima Vota (The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face)
- Fix You
- I Owe You
- Time (feat Nita Whitaker)
- Buongiorno Principessa
- A Song Can Change Your Life
- Love You With My Life
- Erev Shel Shosanim (feat Amy SkyAmy SkyAmy Sky is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, theatre actress, and television host. Sky started classical music lessons at the age of five , and plays piano, guitar, cello and recorder....
) - Je T'Attendrai (The Face)
- A Mother's Love (feat Jim BrickmanJim BrickmanJim Brickman is an American songwriter and pianist. He has been named the most charted male Adult Contemporary artist to date, with six of his albums receiving Gold and Platinum status. He is known for his solo piano compositions, pop-style instrumentals, and vocal collaborations with artists...
) - The Prayer
2010: A Christmas Time with You
Tracklist
- The Gift of Christmas Love
- Christmas Is…(feat. Jim BrickmanJim BrickmanJim Brickman is an American songwriter and pianist. He has been named the most charted male Adult Contemporary artist to date, with six of his albums receiving Gold and Platinum status. He is known for his solo piano compositions, pop-style instrumentals, and vocal collaborations with artists...
) - Every Time It Snows (feat. Olivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
) - Ave Maria
- Silent Night
- Panis Angelicus
- Holy Child
- Have Yourself a Merry Little ChristmasHave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a song introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis. Frank Sinatra later recorded a version with modified lyrics, which has become more common than the original. The song was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane...
with I'll Be Home For Christmas (feat. Dawn Langstroth) - A Christmas Time With You
- Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day (feat. Toronto Mass Choir)
- Lullaby, My Love
- What Child Is This?
- O Holy Night
2011: Intimo
Featured
- 2008: "Christmas Is" by Jim Brickman feat. Mark Masri - reached #18 on BillboardBillboard (magazine)Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks - 2009: "Breathe, Dream, Pray, Love" in album Home (Jim Brickman feat. Mark Masri and Delta Goodrem)
- 2010: "To Be Wanted" by Olivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
feat. Mark Masri appeared on Newton-John's album Grace and Gratitude - Renewed edition) (United States release). The album reached US Billboard New Age albums chart at #2, Billboard Christian albums chart at #36 and Billboard Christian/Gospel albums chart at #54. - 2010: "Waiting" (Rosanna Riverso feat. Mark Masri) on her album Let There Be Peace