There have been a number of artists going by the name of Bez: (1) A British dancer and percussionist (2) A Nigerian soul singer (1) Mark Berry (born 18 April 1964), commonly known as Bez or Marky Mark (and occasionally credited as Bez "Bez" Bez), is a British dancer and percussionist. He was a member and the mascot of Salford band Happy Mondays, having been invited in by lead singer Shaun Ryder shortly after the band was formed. He is chiefly remembered for his bizarre style of dancing, and use of the maracas - the Mondays' second single was called "Freaky Dancin'" in tribute. He is reputed to have a high tolerance for hallucinogenic drugs. When asked by a music journalist why he took so many drugs he replied simply, "because it's my job". After the Mondays broke up, Bez became a member of Black Grape, a group founded by Mondays band-mate Shaun Ryder, but he left in 1997 over artistic differences. In 1997 he had a feature on the BBC Two television programme The Sunday Show called "Science with Bez". When both faced large tax bills, he and Ryder reconciled and reformed the Happy Mondays in 1998, but the reformed band was short-lived. (2) Bez makes alternative soul,an understated and unusual hybrid of soul, jazz and R&B music that sets him well apart from the main stream Afro-hip-hop movement. His songs of love and heartbreak are modern acoustic gems that fit right beside the music of singers like John Mayer, Amy Winehouse and John Legend. A natural performer with a charismatic and playful stage presence, Bez has already opened for international sensation Aṣa, performed alongside Nigeria's premiere entertainers on the Rhythm Unplugged Concert series and been showcased as part of the exclusive Hennessy Artistry series. From big band shows with his swinging five man band to intimate acoustic showcases led by his masterful guitar playing, Bez is a performer to behold.
