A New York-based bassist and composer, Mark Helias has been a vital force in the creative music scene for over four decades. His approach to the double bass is one of continual discovery, evident in his wide-ranging collaborations and leadership of ensembles like the trio BassDrumBone with Ray Anderson and Gerry Hemingway. Helias's connection to the city's vibrant musical landscape is well-documented, from his teaching role at The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music to performances at Brooklyn venues like the Soapbox Gallery. His 2025 album, 'Live In Brooklyn,' further cements his ties to the borough's improvised music community.

As a bandleader, Helias has a discography that charts an evolving engagement with form and expression, including albums such as 'The Current Set,' 'Desert Blue,' and 'Fictionary.' His work is embedded in a lineage of adventurous American jazz practitioners, with a history of collaborations that includes luminaries like Don Cherry, Anthony Braxton, and Cecil Taylor. Through both his performances and his role as an educator, Helias continues to foster a dialogue across generations of musicians, contributing to the rich fabric of New York's jazz scene.