He is a native of Biloxi, Mississippi. It’s not surprising that he would be musically inclined since both his mother and father were classical and jazz musicians. As well, his mother was a piano teacher and Cliff remembers many days when he would easily perform the piano pieces his mother’s students found so difficult. In middle school band, his first instrument was Clarinet.
However he became disenchanted with that instrument when he happened to notice that only “girls” were playing clarinet. So it was on to Saxophone – a much more manly instrument, that is, until his attendance at College – Alcorn University in Lorman, Mississippi, where “girls” were once again the cause of an instrument switch. Following a bit of a dust-up which resulted in a bust lip and inability to play his horn, he found himself leading the drum line.
The Black church is a great training ground, and after graduating from Alcorn with a degree in accounting he supplemented his income at Bell South by performing as a Church musician. Here he learned the traditional church styles while playing both Hammond B3 organ and piano. Side gigs as a solo piano jazz performer honed his jazz playing style.
The dream of pursuing a full time music career had been on the back burner while raising a family. In 2000 that dream became a reality when he and his wife Sei deMarks made the leap to full-time music careers. Since then, they have released over 28 CD’s. Sold more than a million CD’s and become favorites performing at the major Art Festivals around the country and at the major gift and fashion shows in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Dallas and Las Vegas. His influences are Joe Sample, Bob James and Ramsey Lewis.
Website :- www.demarksmusic.com
