Mark Farina

Known primarily for his downtempo approach to mixing jazz, house, and hip-hop -- a style he dubbed "mushrooom jazz" -- DJ and producer Mark Farina played a major role in the building of San Francisco's house music scene. Originally from Chicago, Farina started DJ'ing at the age of 15, greatly inspired by his city's major contribution to underground dance music. A few years later, while at nearby Northwestern University, he made his production debut with "Mood" (KMS, 1989), created as one-third of Symbols & Instruments beside WNUR radio partner Derrick Carter and Chris Nazuka. ...