Mark Taylor is one of Australia's most versatile and
accomplished saxophone and woodwind artists.
Born in Bathurst in country NSW, Mark moved to Sydney in 1988 to study at
The NSW Conservatorium of Music under Australian Jazz maestro Don Burrows.
Since graduating from the Jazz Studies program Mark has carved out a distinguished
and versatile career ,recording, touring and performing nationally and internationally
alongside the elite of the music industry.In contemporary jazz, big bands,
rhythm and blues, pop, as well as commercial orchestral, TV and studio work
, he is in much demand.
As a jazz instrumentalist he was a finalist in the 1993 and 1994 Australian
National Jazz Awards at the Wangarratta Festival of Jazz in Victoria.
In 1994 Mark relocated to New York City for an extended period of study and
performing. He spent time studying with many leading US jazz artists including
Bob Mintzer, Ralph Moore, Barry Harris, Gary Dial and Gary Foster.
In 1998 Mark recorded and released his debut CD "Shakedown" (Rufus/Universal)
. This album features his original compositions performed by some of Australia's
leading contemporary jazz musicians.
Mark is also a member of the award winning Sydney All Star Big Band and has
featured on their two CD releases, "Doin' Our Thing" (La Brava/Universal)
and "Pyldriver" (Newmarket) as well as in live performances with
such notable international jazz artists as Bob Mintzer, Bobby Shew, and Rob
McConnell.
He appears frequently alongside jazz virtuoso James Morrison and has featured
on two of Morrison's CD's "Live at The Sydney Opera House" (East-West)
and "The Gospel Collection" (Morrison Records.)
His playing and compositions also feature on the 1998 ARIA nominated CD release
"Jazzt Latino-Americano" by world music group Tigramuna.
Since 1990 he has been regularly called upon as a saxophone and woodwind specialist
for numerous Australian and overseas touring artists and shows.
Mark regularly appears in a wide variety of international concert settings
and has performed with such notable artists as Michael Bublé, Sir Cliff
Richard, Olivia Newton-John, Barry White, Lou Rawls, Dame Cleo Laine, Jerry
Lewis, Neil Sedaka, Wayne Newton, Franki Valli, Petula Clarke and Shirley
Bassey.
He has featured on recordings and in concerts and tours with such leading
Australian performers as John Farnham, James Morrison, Marcia Hines, Tom Burlinson,
Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Anthony Callea, Tommy Tycho, ,Caroline O'Connor,
Anthony Warlow and the Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland Symphony Orchestras.
During 1998/99 Mark relocated to the UK to perform as a featured saxophone
soloist with Sir Cliff Richard at London's Royal Albert Hall. Here he performed
in 32 sell out concerts over two seasons and appears on the 1998 concert DVD/Video
release "Cliff Richard: The 40th Anniversary Concert".
Also in 1998, Mark began a long association with leading Australian actor/singer
Tom Burlinson in his highly successful and popular biographical show "Frank-A
Life in Song". Mark continues to feature as lead saxophonst and flautist
in the many performances and tours of this production that celebrates the
music and the life of the great Frank Sinatra. He also features on the 2006
DVD Release "Live from The Star City Showroom, Sydney"
Since 2003, Mark has regularly appeared performing in the live studio band
for the Network 10 TV series "Australian Idol" with musical director
John Foreman.
In 2006 Mark featured on the Sony DVD release, "John Farnham - Live at
The Sydney Opera House with The Sydney Symphony Orchestra" , and is also
touring nationally in the band for "The Boy From Oz "Arena Spectacular
with Hugh Jackman.