Mark Upton

Mark's extensive touring has seen visits to various parts of Europe, the USA, South America, the Caribbean, Russia, Turkey, Japan, Dubai and India. In recent years, the world-renowned trumpet player Derek Watkins has mentored Mark. In turn, Mark has been passing on his skills in various teaching positions. As such he taught at very successful Jazz Summer School in Devon for three years and also worked as a peripatetic trumpet teacher for Devon County Council.

Mark enjoys a busy freelance career and has played numerous sessions with high profile recording artists and bands. His commercial work includes composing and performing 'Macaroons', for the programme 'Point Balling' which was aired on BBC Radio 3. He has also made a number of live TV appearances for the BBC. In 2006 he performed Chuck Mangione's 'Children of Sanchez' during a three-night performance at the Albert Hall one of which was aired on National television. In 2009 he repeated his Albert Hall appearance playing 'Macarthur Park'. Other recording work includes an Arts Council project with the renowned composer Ergo Phizmiz, which aired on Devon's Sound Art Radio Station and a recording with up-coming singer/composer Alex Hart performing the famous Jazz standard 'Autumn Leaves'. Mark also recorded the album 'Girl in Blue' a collection of 15 timeless jazz/pop songs performed by The Session 8 Band, a group of musicians brought together by songwriter Les Veale. In 2011 Mark recorded on the Album 'I'm A Dreamer ~ Aren't We All' with international jazz singer Jill Keating. In 2012, Mark was endorsed by Eclipse Trumpets, UK's leading trumpet maker.