Mark Bassey

Mark Bassey

Mark Bassey, jazz trombonist
Background information
Born (1961-07-16) 16 July 1961
Origin Sheffield, England
Genres mainstream, bop, contemporary
Occupation(s) jazz musician, educator, composer, arranger, bandleader
Instruments Trombone
Years active 1982 - current
Associated acts NYJO, Loose Tubes, Brotherhood of Breath, Mike Westbrook, Stan Tracey, John Dankworth & Cleo Laine, Julian Arguelles, Nikki Iles, Stan Sulzmann, Alan Barnes, Clark Tracey, Liane Carroll, Kenny Wheeler, Billy Jenkins, BBC Big Band, Charlotte Glasson, Daphne Sadeh,[1] Johannes Lemke[2]
Website www.markbassey/

Mark Bassey (born, Sheffield, England, 1961) is a jazz trombonist, composer, arranger, educator and band leader.

Biography

Bassey began playing the trombone at the age of 11. He studied linguistics at University College London from 1979-82 but also found time to continue with his trombone studies, taking private lessons with Cliff Hardie.[3] He also played in big bands at this time, notably the Brian Booth Jazz Orchestra[4] (including Andy Panayi, Claude Deppa and Ralph Salmins). From 1983 - 1984 Bassey worked for the BBC in the Central Services Dept. During this time an opportunity arose to join Young Jazz (which later became Superjazz, led by Phil Revens[5]). The experience of playing a week at Ronnie Scott’s with Young Jazz convinced him to become a professional trombonist.

Also in 1983, Bassey auditioned successfully for the European Youth Jazz Orchestra[6] and in 1984 was offered the opportunity to take a study year at Trinity College of Music. There he studied classical trombone with Geoffrey Lindon,[7] composition with Richard Arnell and big band jazz with Bobby Lamb. In 1985 he was invited, by Mark Nightingale, to join the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. During the subsequent decade he played with Loose Tubes, Brotherhood of Breath, Mike Westbrook, Stan Tracey and John Dankworth and Cleo Laine.

Bassey’s playing covers many styles from swing to bop, as well as more contemporary fields. Recent associations include Julian Arguelles, Alan Barnes, Liane Carroll, Charlotte Glasson, Nikki Iles, Billy Jenkins and the BBC Big Band, Lemke-Nendza-Hillmann Trio,[2] Daphna Sadeh,[1] Terry Seabrook,[8] Stan Sulzmann, Clark Tracey and Kenny Wheeler. He has recorded widely with many people and released two albums under his own name: Mark Bassey’s Telling Stories[9] and Bassey Plays Basie[10]

Bassey has been involved with jazz education for many years, teaching trombone and running classes in harmony, improvisation, composition and arranging at many colleges including the Royal Academy of Music, Trinity College of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and also the Jamey Aebersold jazz summer schools.

Bassey has written over 30 big band arrangements (particularly for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra) - many original compositions and commissions including educational materials for the ABRSM and numerous other pieces for brass and sax ensembles (including Roger Argente’s Superbrass[11]).

Bassey was born with no left hand and fingers missing on his right hand. He wears a split hook on his left arm, which he attaches to a piece of leather on his slide, and has a metal digit on his right hand which opposes the real finger. He plays left handed on a Bach 16 with an F attachment, especially fitted by trombone maker Michael Rath,[12] to give him greater ease in reaching 6th and 7th positions.

Discography

Albums as Leader

As Sideman

References

  1. 1 2 Sadeh, Daphna. "www.daphnasadeh.com". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 Lemke, Johannes. "johanneslemke.de/blog". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  3. ↑ Hardie, Cliff. "Glenn Miller Orchestra". Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  4. ↑ Booth, Brian. "musicteachers.co.uk". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  5. ↑ Revens, Phil. "shadowball.net". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  6. ↑ European Youth Jazz Orchestra. "European Youth Jazz Orchestra". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  7. ↑ Lindon, Geoffrey. "www.bbc.co.uk/proms". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  8. ↑ Seabrook, Terry. "www.terryseabrookmusic.com". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  9. 1 2 Mark Bassey's Telling Stories, Mark Bassey. "www.markbassey.com/store". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  10. 1 2 Bassey Plays Basie, Mark Bassey. "www.markbassey.com/store". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  11. ↑ Superbrass. "www.superbrass.co.uk". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  12. ↑ Rath, Michael. "www.rathtrombones.com". Retrieved 8 October 2014.


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