EXPLORING the space between Expressions and vibrations

The Mars Express delivers musical experiences that resonate with all audiences. Our passion for jazz, neo-soul, and funk drives us to create a sonic journey that captivates and inspires. Berklee alumnus, Mars Q and vocalist, Sara Smile, join together as a duo or full band, decked out with all the frills blasting out cosmic frequencies into an atmosphere on earth near you. A few of their favorites are: Hiatus Kaiyote, BadBadNotGood, Butcher Brown, Erykah Badu, JDilla, Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock. 

Mars and Sara have been passionate about live music for over a decade. Their journey began in California and has since migrated across the United States to North East Ohio. Sara's love for astronomy and metaphysics comes alive in her lyrical melodies atop harmonized flavors created by Mars Q. Original music is written to raise vibrations and often played in 432 hz. We'd love to help you to discover new music, and to open your mind to new musical ideas and lyrical concepts. Jazz festivals are our natural habitat, but we're an excellent addition to your event, party or hometown venue. Our performances offer instrumental solos, expressive jams and smooth dynamic vocals. 

You can find us orbiting around Earth and beyond sounding like a good time, jamming originals and handpicked favorite tunes. So, dust the cobwebs off your space suit, grab your moon goggles and jump on The Mars Express!

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B.M. Film Scoring (’04), Berklee College of Music (piano principal), studied jazz piano performance with Joanne Brackeen; MRQ Productions, principal film composer/audio editor; Professional Musician, performing on piano, synth and Hammond B-3 regularly in the SF Bay Area 10+ years in a variety of genres, including: jazz, funk, neo-soul, R&B, reggae and more; Piano Instructor at the California Jazz School, 20+ years experience teaching music theory to groups and individuals; Musical Director/Founder/Songwriter The Mars Express; special projects at Suma recording studio, Berklee College of Music Alumni networking, Revival ABB, The Bluewater Kings, and American Roots of Music. 

After 10+ years of serving fresh, live vocals across the San Francisco Bay Area, Sara Smile has returned to her hometown in NE Ohio. Since landing back in the area, she’s been involved in various projects with the Bluewater Kings band, Apostle Jones Presents, The Mars Express, Revival ABB, The Shizz, Thomas W. Harvey High School, Lake Erie College, Suma Recording Studio, Berklee College of Music, and Roots of American Music. Sara has often been referred to as the “Jamstress” cohosting a long running jam night in Albany, CA, where up and coming, green and working musicians created a special community through live music. Sara incorporates jazz and neo-soul elements into her multi-genre skill set. She loves to feature band members and provides ample opportunities for solos and expression through improvisation in live sets. You’ll hear the Janis, Aretha, Tina and 90’s R&B that she was raised on in her soulful and dynamic sound.