Mark Masri (born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on August 23rd) 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.
Mark Masri was born to a Lebanese 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 Awards.
He is married to Angela since 1998 and they have a son together.
Awards and nominations
In 2001, nominated for a Juno Award in the category Best Gospel Album 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 Sky))
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)
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 Brickman, Jon Secada, 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, Lara Fabian. Michael Bolton, Kenny G, Kathryn Joosten and others.