Mark Bassey

Mark Bassey
Mark Bassey, jazz trombonist
Background information
Born	(1961-07-16) 16 July 1961 (age 56)
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, Johannes Lemke
Website	www.markbassey/

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

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. He also played in big bands at this time, notably the Brian Booth Jazz Orchestra (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). 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 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, 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.