Mr. Stark began his music career in Cleveland, OH, studying violin with a member of The Cleveland Orchestra, playing violin in school orchestra and ensembles. Brian taught himself guitar, leading religious youth group song sessions and performing worship music around the Northeast region of the US. Through his 20s, Brian appeared in various shows, and worked regularly as a song leader and cantorial soloist, performing sacred liturgical music for various worship services while also performing as an active pop and folk performer around Northeast Ohio, singing and playing guitar in hundreds of public and private venues.  

Eventually finding his true musical voice, in the early 1980s, Brian walked into a Chinese restaurant at lunchtime, heard a pianist playing jazz on an upright, walked up and sang along. That chance meeting began a several-year association with Carl “Ace” Carter, one of Count Basie’s former pianists, a man with perfect pitch, gifted hands and a heart of gold. Performing with Ace and others, singing songs by Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, the Gershwins, Rogers, Hart, Hammerstein, Bacharach, and many others cemented Brian’s focus on what he considers are the greatest popular songs ever written. Brian eventually opened for The Count Basie Band in Cleveland, and performed regionally with piano, trios, big bands, noted jazz guitarist Bob Fraser and others, and eventually hosted radio shows for 23 years.  

Eventually, New York had to become home. Brian Stark is now a New Yorker, acting and performing regularly for audiences who love the Standards…beautifully written songs made famous by great performers recognized around the world.  

          Brian Stark · 31 West 34^th Street Suite 8089 · New York, NY 10001

              O: 917-791-4190  C: 216-310-1470   brian@starkworld.com