Morta is a five piece instrumental group from Toronto, consisting of bassist and composer Mark Rynkun, keyboard player Stacey Yerofeyeva, guitarist Patrick O’Reilly, drummer George Nikolov, and saxophonist Kyle Woodard. As graduates of the Humber College music program, the members of this band have studied under some of the finest musicians in Toronto, including Larnell Lewis, Mark Kelso, Roberto Occhipinti, Dave Restivo, Pat LaBarbera, and Kirk MacDonald. Formed in 2010, this band has already been making a name for themselves in the Toronto music scene, being compared to groups such as Brian Blade & The Fellowship, Chris Tarry Group, Rudder, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Yes.

Morta’s band leader Mark Rynkun plays bass for a large variety of bands in various styles, ranging from jazz, rock, R&B, Indian, Latin to electronic music. Throughout his career, he has shared the stage with such legendary acts as Ziggy Marley, Shafqat Ali Khan, Jimmy Cliff, and Los Colorados.

The focus of this group is to explore moods, sounds and textures through their unique compositions, use of improvisation and sound effects. Morta fuses the old and the new by altering the sound of traditional jazz instruments with the use of synthesizers, ambient guitar tones, distorted bass, effected saxophones, acoustic and electronic drums.

Being inspired by many contemporary Canadian groups such as Barry Romberg’s Random Access, Rinsethealgorithm and Tasa, this group strives to be a part of the next generation of musicians encouraging young players to support and become a part the Canadian jazz scene.

Morta released their debut EP entitled High in August of 2012; full-lenght s/t album is released in April 2014.