Mark Kassa

Born in Detroit, MI – Detroit Memorial Hospital

Musicians Institute Alumni- Hollywood, CA

Voting Member of the Grammy Awards (Recording Academy)

Slight Return® LLC- Owner/Executive Producer/Writer/Guitarist/Vocals – band est. in 1996

Written/Recorded/Performed/Produced with George Clinton (Parliament/Funkadelic), Billy Cox (Jimi Hendrix), Dennis Coffey (Motown Funk Bros), Tony Green (Snoop Dogg, Dr Dre, Dramatics), Andy Vargas (Santana), Dennis Chambers (Santana, Steely Dan, P-Funk) ,  Davey Pattison (Robin Trower, Gamma), Pete Thompson (Robert Plant, Robin Trower), Glenn Letsch (Gamma, Montrose, Jonathan Cain), Victor Ghannam (National Arab Orchestra),  Jack Endino and Chris Hanzsek (Nirvana, Soundgarden), Jim Diamond (Jack White, White Stripes) and many others.

3 Songs in the DRT Global Rock Charts in 2019- 2 Songs reaching #13

Have played shows with CCR, Tesla, Grand Funk Railroad, Gin Blossoms, Robin Trower, Huey Lewis, The Rockets, John Waite, Sponge, etc at venues including The DTE Energy Center, Freedom Hill Amphitheater, Sound Board Theater, Newport Music Hall, Jimmy John’s Stadium, Kalamazoo State Theater, The Laz-Y-Boy Theater,  Henry Ford Museum, Orbit Room, Lexington Village Theater, Comcast Concert TV, The Mitch Albom Show, Motor City Casino, MGM Casino and numerous festivals.

Performed the Star Spangled Banner at – Huntington Arena, DePaul University, Jimmy John’s Stadium, Henry Ford Museum, and the Salute Our Warriors Event.

Endorsed by the Shin-ei Univibe Company (Vibe-bro and Vibe 2)- alongside Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Oz Noy, Michael Landau and Scott Henderson.

2X Michigan Representative for District Advocacy (Recording Academy)

VP at Mi5 Detroit (Universal Music Group)

VP at Music Addict (musicaddict.org)

VP at Music Player Magazine

Axis Music Academy- Co-Founder and Educator

Welcome to the D® TV (Music Show) Host and creator for Middle Eastern America Television (MEA TV)

Board Member- NRM Streamcast Music

Board Member- DMAN Foundation (Danny’s Miracle Angel Network-Music Therapy)

Board Member- Axis Music Foundation

Board Member- Chaldean Chamber of Commerce (2 year term)

The D® Cap Show (Music Show)- Co-host

Board Member- Salute to Our Warriors Event

Board Member- America’s Safety First Event

Music Director for AFPD and MIRA for 2011-thru 2017

Chaldean Festival- Co-Chairman/Executive Board Member

Middle Eastern America- MEA TV Festival Board Member

DIME- Detroit Music College- Master Class

Owner of Federal Trademarks Welcome to the D®, The D®, So Detroit®, Hail the Heroes®, Shake Your Detroit Right®, It’s a Detroit Thing®, It’s a D Thing® trademark owner.  Official Merchandise available at welcometothed.com

Testified in front of the Michigan Congress on the proper distribution of public benefits to help the poor get fresher products in supermarkets in urban areas considered “food deserts”.

Charities and Volunteer Work

DMAN Foundation

Fallen & Wounded Soldiers Fund

Grace Centers of Hope Women and Children’s Center

United Youth 2000

St Dominic’s

St Aloysius

St Fabian

Chaldean Ladies of Charity

Adopt a Refugee

Walk for the Cure

Forgotten Harvest

High Five Turkey Drive

Relay for Life

Horace Sheffield III – Sheffield Food Pantry- Detroit, MI

St Vincent De Paul

St Thomas Chaldean Church

Holy Cross Chaldean Church