OSSIEN Brings Live Jazz Musicianship to Bass Music

Music Observer Staff on May 9, 2026

In a music industry driven by rapid consumption and constant reinvention, only a select few artists manage to break through the noise with a sound that feels genuinely original. Emerging from that rare category is OSSIEN, the artist project of Mark Mossien, now gaining recognition as one of the more distinctive new voices in bass music.

Blending nearly two decades of live jazz training with the intensity of modern electronic production, OSSIEN is introducing a performance-driven approach to dubstep that challenges the boundaries of the genre. While many artists experiment with influence, this project goes further by integrating real instrumentation and musicianship into a space traditionally dominated by digital production.

This is not an adaptation of jazz aesthetics. It is a full-scale collision of disciplines.

A New Lane in Bass Music

What sets OSSIEN apart is not simply sound design or production quality. It is foundation. With 17 years of instrumental experience, OSSIEN incorporates saxophone, clarinet, and piano directly into the creative process.

In a genre where “jazz influence” is often simulated through presets or sampled textures, OSSIEN introduces a level of authenticity that is rarely seen. Swing rhythms, big band arrangements, and live phrasing are not added for style. They are embedded into the DNA of each track.

The result is a sonic identity that feels both technical and raw, structured yet unpredictable, and increasingly recognizable.

Industry listeners are beginning to take notice, in part because the project deliberately avoids existing trends.

Early Momentum Backed by Industry Validation

In a relatively short period, OSSIEN has built a growing list of achievements that reflect upward momentum.

The project has secured releases on established labels including Monstercat, Cyclops Recordings, Wubaholics, and High Caliber Records. These platforms are known for spotlighting talent in the electronic music space.

Beyond distribution, OSSIEN has received support from some of the most influential names in bass music, including Subtronics, LSDREAM, GRiZ, Flux Pavilion, Virtual Riot, and Wooli.

This level of backing often signals long-term viability, as established artists tend to align with projects that demonstrate both originality and execution.

Streaming growth has followed, with OSSIEN reaching hundreds of thousands of streams and building an audience of tens of thousands of followers across platforms. While these numbers represent early-stage growth, they reflect a trajectory that is accelerating.

From Layoff to Full Commitment

Behind the momentum is a pivotal personal turning point.

Just two years ago, Mark Mossien was working as a software engineer after graduating from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in computer science. That path came to an abrupt halt when he was laid off at 24 years old.

At the time, OSSIEN had no released music, minimal online presence, and was carrying significant debt.

Instead of returning to a similar role, he made a decision that would define the next chapter. He went all-in on music.

The early stages were uncertain. Entering a new industry without connections or experience meant building everything from scratch. There was no built-in audience, no industry leverage, and no guaranteed outcome.

That pressure became an advantage. It forced a level of focus and experimentation that shaped the identity of the project.

From Unknown to Touring Artist

The transition from starting point to live performance has happened quickly.

OSSIEN has already performed in over 10 states and internationally, establishing a presence within a competitive touring circuit. Among these appearances is a headlining festival performance in Quebec, signaling both demand and scalability.

Live performance plays a critical role in the OSSIEN experience. Unlike traditional DJ sets, the project incorporates the potential for live instrumentation, adding a dynamic layer that separates it from standard electronic performances.

As festival culture continues to prioritize unique live experiences, this format positions OSSIEN for continued expansion.

Strategic Representation and Visibility

Reinforcing this growth, OSSIEN is now represented for booking by Corson Agency, working with agent Brian Lachman. This marks a key step in scaling live opportunities and securing placements within larger festival circuits.

Visibility has also expanded beyond music platforms. OSSIEN was featured on a Times Square billboard as part of a SoundCloud for Artists campaign. The opportunity was initiated directly by the platform.

This level of exposure highlights both the quality of the music and its broader appeal within the digital ecosystem.

Building in Public

A defining element of OSSIEN’s rise has been transparency.

Through social media, the journey has been documented in real time. This includes the challenges, the setbacks, and the incremental wins that come with building a career from nothing.

This approach allows audiences to connect with the process, not just the outcome. As a result, OSSIEN is recognized for the music as well as for the story behind it.

In an era where audiences value authenticity, this has become a key driver of engagement.

Expanding Beyond Music

Alongside the artist project, OSSIEN has developed a complementary business venture.

Holistic Creativity is a mentorship platform for electronic music producers, focused on skill development and creative growth.

This dual focus reflects a broader approach to building a music career. While many artists concentrate solely on releases and performances, OSSIEN has built an additional layer that engages with the broader producer community.

A Vision Built for Scale

Looking ahead, OSSIEN is positioned for continued growth.

The vision includes performing at major global festivals such as Lost Lands, Electric Forest, EDC, Lollapalooza, and Coachella. These stages represent some of the highest-profile platforms within electronic music.

There are also plans to continue releasing music across leading labels while exploring cross-genre collaborations.

Long-term, the goal extends beyond individual success. Through Holistic Creativity, OSSIEN is building a framework designed to support the next generation of producers.

What Sets OSSIEN Apart

The electronic music industry is saturated with talent, but differentiation remains a key factor in longevity.

OSSIEN’s advantage lies in a combination of technical skill, creative direction, and approach. By integrating live jazz musicianship into bass music, the project has carved out a lane that is both unique and difficult to replicate.

At the same time, the ability to build a brand, engage an audience, and develop parallel pursuits reflects a strong understanding of the modern music business.

The Beginning of a Larger Movement

As OSSIEN continues to gain traction, the project represents more than individual success. It reflects a broader shift in how artists approach their careers.

Creativity is being combined with entrepreneurship. Authenticity is being paired with strategy.

The journey began with a setback. Being laid off forced a decision that could not be avoided.

Now, that decision is turning into momentum.

OSSIEN is not just building a name. The groundwork is being set for what comes next.

Contact Person: Mark Mossien

Company: OSSIEN LLC

Email: ossienmusic@gmail.com

Website: OSSIEN on Spotify

Country: USA

Social media: Instagram (@ossien)

Willan Academy of Music Marks 10th Anniversary with “Joyful Decade” Concert at Merkin Hall

Music Observer Staff on May 9, 2026

Ten years ago, Kenji Haba, the Director of Willan Academy of Music, had a vision: a music school that felt less like an institution and more like a community. This Saturday, that vision takes center stage, and Maestro Gregory Singer and the Manhattan Symphonie will be there to crown it.

On May 9th at 2:00 PM, Willan Academy of Music celebrates its 10th Anniversary with Joyful Decade, a concert at Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center on the Upper West Side. The afternoon program brings together students past and present, faculty, and guest artists for a single milestone performance.

Over the past decade, Willan Academy has grown into a music school in NYC where students as young as four begin a journey rooted in one simple belief: that music is something to love, not just to learn. Built around the Suzuki method and individualized curriculum, the school has supported students from their earliest notes through high school auditions and beyond. Lessons take place both in students’ homes across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, and online for families further afield.

Saturday’s program puts that belief on display, as young soloists share the stage alongside alumni, adult learners, and faculty, a living portrait of everything this community has become. The afternoon goes further than student showcases. Maestro Singer will conduct members of the Manhattan Symphonie, a chamber orchestra uniting string, wind, and keyboard players from across the city, alongside select Willan musicians in the world premieres of his newest compositions, including Summer Days and Sasha. Brand new works, written and now ready to be heard for the very first time, will close the first half.

The second half is equally rich. Willan’s faculty perform classical works and jazz standards with warmth and artistry. The a cappella group Dischord from UPenn makes a guest appearance. The afternoon closes with a Graduate Spotlight and Legacy Award Ceremony, a personal tribute to two graduating students, honoring the musicians they have grown into within this community. The ceremony marks the close of one chapter and the start of the next. Each honoree carries years of practice and performance into whatever comes after. From a four-year-old’s first notes on a concert stage to world premieres conducted by Maestro Singer, this is what ten years of nurturing a genuine love for music looks like.

Event Details

Joyful Decade: Willan Academy of Music 10th Anniversary Concert

Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 2:00 PM

Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center

129 West 67th Street, New York, NY

Tickets: www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org

More Info:

www.willanacademy.com

manhattansymphonie.com

TCL NXTPAPER 14: A Tablet Designed for Musicians’ Sheet Music Needs

Music Observer Staff on May 9, 2026

Most tablets fail musicians in the same way: they are engineered for visual impact rather than sustained readability. Bright, glossy OLED panels look impressive in short bursts, but under stage lighting or during long rehearsals, they drain quickly, introduce glare and eye strain, and require constant micro-adjustments that interrupt focus. The TCL NXTPAPER 14 solves that problem by changing how the screen behaves.

TCL’s NXTPAPER display architecture replaces the typical glassy, reflective surface with a matte, paper-like layer that diffuses light rather than reflecting it, achieved through a multi-layer, anti-glare surface with micro-texture that converts specular reflections into diffuse ones. This is not a software “reading mode” or a tinted filter: it is a treatment that makes the screen behave closer to paper. For sheet music, that distinction is obvious. Under overhead lighting or natural daylight, notation remains stable and legible without the shifting reflections that plague conventional tablets. You don’t need to tilt the device or increase brightness just to maintain visibility. It simply holds.

At 14.3 inches with a 3:2 aspect ratio, the NXTPAPER 14 aligns unusually well with the proportions of printed scores. Instead of compressing pages into a widescreen format, it allows full-page viewing at a natural scale, preserving staff spacing and reducing the need to zoom or scroll. In practice, this means fewer interruptions: fewer page adjustments, fewer missed cues, and a closer approximation to reading physical music sheets. For musicians, preserving the physical scale of notation directly reduces cognitive load during performance.

Where the device becomes particularly effective is over time. Traditional panels are designed for brightness and contrast, which can feel sharp but become fatiguing during extended use. NXTPAPER takes a distinct approach, reducing blue light at the hardware level and eliminating flicker, resulting in a softer, more consistent image. TCL’s Ink Paper mode pushes this further, subtly muting contrast and shifting the white point closer to off-white, which makes digital scores feel less like backlit screens and more like printed pages.

This places the NXTPAPER 14 in a unique space between conventional tablets and e-ink devices. Compared to an iPad, it sacrifices some vibrancy but gains stability and comfort. Compared to e-ink, it retains full responsiveness, color support, and multimedia capability. For musicians, that balance matters. You can annotate scores with a stylus, play backing tracks through its speakers, and move between practice and performance without switching devices. It functions less like a specialized reader and more like a complete, adaptable music workstation.

There are trade-offs, but they are largely irrelevant here. The device is heavier than smaller tablets and not designed for high-performance multitasking, yet neither factor impacts its primary role on a music stand. What matters is that once placed, it becomes reliable and unobtrusive. That is where most tablets fail and where this one succeeds.

That is why, in practical terms, the TCL NXTPAPER 14 is a strong option for musicians. It’s not just a tablet for sheet music; it’s a tablet designed with the needs of performers in mind.