Mark is a Musical Director, cross-genre Composer/ Arranger, Tutor and Multi-Instrumentalist. 

 

His musical career began early on when he became the Musical Director of the Norwich Area Brass Band aged just 17 years old. As the youngest Musical Director/Conductor in UK Brass Band history, he soon conducted them to acclaimed championship status, before breaking them out of the traditional Brass Band mould to explore some of his unique compositions.

 

After graduating in Musical Composition at the University of Huddersfield, Mark returned to his Norfolk roots working primarily as a Jazz musician and arranger. He is a highly accomplished bass trumpet & tuba player, jazz/scat singer, and pianist. Mark has performed all over the U.K and Europe as horn section leader and writer for the successful funk band Speedometer. During which time he had the great honour of backing funk and Blue Note legends such as Sharon Jones, Eddie Bo, and Sir Joe Quarterman. Also performing as support to Grand Master Flash, Bernard Purdy, Grant Green Jnr and Courtney Pine, to name a few.

 

As a composer and arranger, Mark's work with record labels such as EMI UK and Sony AU has been aired globally on both television and radio. He achieved international acclaim for his brass arrangements for an Australian Idol winner, reaching number one on the iTunes chart. Mark’s expertise in ‘a Capella’ writing and singing allowed him to work in New York to produce the music on a global advertising campaign for clothing conglomerate Esprit and saw him appear on the popular CBeebies show ‘The Let’s Go Club’.

 

Mark prides himself on being able to compose for any given ensemble, in any style, and frequently writes original songs and funk instrumentals under his solo performance alias ‘Toots’.

 

Alongside his professional music career, Mark appears as a favoured adjudicator at the Norfolk County Music Festival and is a passionate and highly experienced music educator having been involved in countless projects to encourage the musical development of young people around East Anglia.

 

Mark resides in Suffolk with his wonderful partner and daughter to which he owes all his success and happiness.