Detroit Jazz Project – December 5, 2026

For decades, Mark Hershberger has been captivating audiences with his distinctive saxophone tone and signature style. From intimate jazz clubs to major festival stages, Mark’s performances radiate warmth, precision, and pure Detroit soul. Mark’s journey with music began early — first on bongos at age five, then on the saxophone after his great uncle gifted him a soprano model in third grade. By high school, he was performing in jazz ensembles and local bands, and his passion only grew through studies in Jazz and Classical Music at Oakland University, Eastern Michigan University, and the University of Michigan. Over the years, Mark has performed at many of Michigan’s most iconic venues, including Cliff Bell’s Jazz Nightclub, Dirty Dog Jazz Café, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, Blue Llama Jazz Club and Restaurant, Bert’s Marketplace, and Kerrytown Concert House. He has also appeared at leading festivals such as the Detroit International Jazz Festival, the Flint Jazz Festival, and the Ann Arbor Art Fair. He has collaborated with award winning Detroit Jazz greats including Gayelynn McKinney, Vincent Chandler, Marion Hayden, Ibrahim Jones, Jacob Hart, Vanessa Carr, Nancy Marie Ingles, Takashi Iio, Terry Kimura, Jaribu Shahid, Maurice O’Neal, Steve Morris, Ryan Rose,  Athena Johnson, Badal Roy, Tony Robertson, Eugene Mann, Michael Colone, Muruga Booker, TaJuan Hawkins, Jerry LeDuff, Ken Kozura, and Bill Meyers.  His background includes performing with the AFRAM Big Band at Oakland University, Jazz Combos at University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University Jazz Band and the Gratiot Ave Big Band led by Marcus Belgrave.   Mark has also performed with Motown STAX legends Sam and Dave, Martha Reeves, and Cecil Womack in Detroit.