black and brown leather padded tub sofa

Journalist Producer Emcee AUTHOR Musicologist

Music
Journalism

A former musician and songwriter, Mark worked for over 20 years as Jazz Editor for Chicago Magazine and has written over five hundred articles on jazz, broadcasting and African-American culture.

Since 2007, Mark has been the Program Director of the Real Jazz channel on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio and has been celebrated for over 40 years in broadcasting, including his 25-year legacy on Chicago radio. He was a fixture at WBEZ, WDCB, WNUA, and Harpo.

Mark has produced eleven albums including several charting singles, individual accolades, and a 2015 Grammy-nomination. He shares credits with many greats in the genre including George Freeman, Barbara Sfraga, Giacomo Gates, Rene Marie, and many more.


Broadcasting
Excellence
Creative
Production
Author & Musicologist
black and brown leather padded tub sofa

Journalist Producer Emcee AUTHOR Musicologist

Music
Journalism

Mark worked for over 25 years as a Jazz Editor at Chicago Magazine and has written over 500 articles on Jazz, Broadcasting & African-American culture. His 2021 book “Bebop Fairy Tales: An Historical Fiction Trilogy on Jazz, Intolerance and Baseball” won two Feather Quill Book Awards and was nominated for Book of the Year by the Jazz Journalist Association.

Since 2007, Mark has been the Program Director of the Real Jazz channel on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio and has been celebrated for over 40 years in broadcasting, including his 25-year legacy on Chicago radio. He was a fixture at WBEZ, WDCB, WNUA, and Harpo.

Mark has produced 13 albums including chart-toppers on Jazzweek.com, a Grammy nomination, a British Jazz FM Album of the Year” nomination & Producer of the Year winner from the Chicago Music Awards. He’s helmed projects by Rene Marie, George Freeman, Giacomo Gates, Lauren Henderson, Allen Harris, and other jazz greats.



Broadcasting
Excellence
Creative
Production
Author & Musicologist

Emcee & Hostings

Mark is often asked to host gala events ranging from awards ceremonies to concerts and music festivals, including recently at the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco, Saratoga Jazz Festival and at the NEA Jazz Maters Awards at the Kennedy Center in Washington.


(clockwise starting left) June Townes, singer; Erin Davis, Miles’ son; Mark Ruffin, journalist and r
(clockwise starting left) June Townes, singer; Erin Davis, Miles’ son; Mark Ruffin, journalist and r

Miles Davis & Edith Piaf
Stamp Dedication
Rubin Museum of Art NYC | June, 2012

(clockwise starting left) June Townes, singer; Erin Davis, Miles’ son; Mark Ruffin, journalist and radio personality; Vincent Wilburn, Jr., Miles’ nephew and musician; Tania Stavreva, pianist; George Avakian, producer, Columbia Records; Cheryl Davis, Miles’ daughter; Don Was, President, Blue Note Records; and Maria Elena Infantino, singer and actress, and Edith Piaf impressionist.

"Creativity is the

greatest rebellion

in existence."


- OSHO

Mark Ruffin is a renowned broadcaster, author, and Grammy-nominated producer. With two Emmy awards, he specializes in jazz, art, and culture, bringing insightful perspectives to audiences worldwide.

Passion for Jazz Culture
Celebrating Art and Music

As a music producer, Mark Ruffin taps into the rich tapestry of jazz. Mark produced the 2015 Grammy-nominated "I Wanna Be Evil: Love to Eartha Kitt", by Rene Marie, and "Offering: The Music of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson" by Charenee Wade. Other titles include recordings by Chicago be-bop guitar legend George Freeman and New York vocalists Barbara Sfraga and Giacomo Gates.

This multi-talented broadcaster and writer has been a semi-finalist in the Sundance Institute’s screenwriting competition and received an Excellence in Television award from the Chicago Association of Black Journalists.

"Creativity is the greatest rebellion in existence."


- OSHO

Mark Ruffin is a renowned broadcaster, author, and Grammy-nominated producer. With two Emmy awards, he specializes in jazz, art, and culture, bringing insightful perspectives to audiences worldwide.

Passion for Jazz Culture
Celebrating Art and Music

As a music producer, Mark Ruffin taps into the rich tapestry of jazz. Mark produced the 2015 Grammy-nominated "I Wanna Be Evil: Love to Eartha Kitt", by Rene Marie, and "Offering: The Music of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson" by Charenee Wade. Other titles include recordings by Chicago be-bop guitar legend George Freeman and New York vocalists Barbara Sfraga and Giacomo Gates.

This multi-talented broadcaster and writer has been a semi-finalist in the Sundance Institute’s screenwriting competition and received an Excellence in Television award from the Chicago Association of Black Journalists.

"Creativity is the greatest rebellion in existence."


- OSHO

woman wearing yellow long-sleeved dress under white clouds and blue sky during daytime