Mark Rubinstein Obituary (1965 - 2024)

Mark Rubinstein, a gifted musician with a loving heart, died Friday, June 7, 2024, after a struggle with health issues. He was 58. Mark was born December 13, 1965, in San Antonio, to Barney and Alida Ann Irwin Rubinstein, the third of four children. Mark was a curious child who had an insatiable appetite for learning. His interest in music began early and he was self-taught on many instruments. He produced his first record when he was 14 for a punk band, The Rejects, in which he played drums and his sister, Denise, played bass. He became an exceptional musician, mastering instruments and able to fill a variety of roles in different styles of music, from rock to country, to jazz and classical. He also had a knack for music production and amassed a collection of vintage and new studio equipment. He went on to produce and serve as a recording engineer for musical clients that received Grammy nominations and had platinum sales. As a performer, Mark’s eclectic tastes and abilities led him to perform with salsa groups, symphony orchestras and avant-garde theater. His interest in ethnic music also led him to seek out performance opportunities in Green, French, German, Italian, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Brazilian and traditional Jewish music. He continued freelance music performances throughout his life, earning him a music reviewer’s accolade, “The Ultimate Sideman,” in 2008 in the San Antonio Current. Mark’s career highlights include music direction for the winter 2008 production of The Blue Flower by Prospect Theater Company in New York; music direction for regional tap dance festivals “Soul To Sole" in Austin, Texas and “Third Coast Tap Festival/Jazz on Tap" in San Antonio, Texas; performances (on piano) with legendary jazz flutist Herbie Mann, seminal jazz bassist Eddie Gomez, saxophonist Bunky Green, and legendary tap dancers Arthur Duncan, Dianne Walker, and Sarah Petronio; European tours with noted songwriters Dirk Hamilton and George Carver; membership in influential early Texas punk band The Rejects; and recordings (as engineer) with many noted artists including Grover Washington, Jr., Shirley Horn, Cher, Liza Minelli, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, 3LW, Judy Collins, Najee, Gerald Levert, Scarface, George Duke, Bobby Womack, Backstreet Boys and Natalie Cole. As an educator, Rubinstein has served on the teaching staffs of Texas Tech University and St. Mary’s University, and the University of Texas at San Antonio, before becoming an instructor in audio engineering at Ohio State University in 2009. He also served as president of the Musician’s Society of San Antonio, Local 23, American Federation of Musicians. Mark legally married Jeannine Fancher (Dee Dee) on June 12, 2009, with a celebration following on January 3, 2010, in San Antonio. He was preceded in death by his parents. Mark is survived by 3 sisters, Denise Stodola, of Flint, Michigan, Marlene Rubinstein, of San Antonio, and Sandy Peterson, of Durham, North Carolina, along with nephews, a niece, and many loving friends. Memorials may be made to either: Concerted Works, Inc., a 501(C)3 nonprofit which supports Local 443, United Musicians of the Twin Tier & Central New York, Local 380-443 of the American Federation of Musicians, or to the Musicians’ Society of San Antonio, Local 23, American Federation of Musicians.