Mark Hart

Mark Hart
Mark Hart on guitar with Crowded House, Boston, August 2007
Background information
Born	(1953-07-02) July 2, 1953 (age 63)
Origin	Fort Scott, Kansas, United States
Genres	Rock, pop, film score
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer, producer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, lap steel guitar
Years active	1982–present
Labels	Capitol, A&M
Associated acts	Combonation, Supertramp, Crowded House
Website	markhartmusic.com

Mark Hart (born July 2, 1953 in Fort Scott, Kansas), is an American musician and multi-instrumentalist best known for being a member of both Supertramp (1986–1988, 1996–2002, 2015-present) and Crowded House (1993–1996, 2007–present). As well as being a group member, touring and session musician, Hart has composed film scores and is a record producer.

Mark Hart was born on July 2, 1953 and grew up in Fort Scott, Kansas. He has an older brother, Jeff. From the age of seven years, Hart received piano lessons and followed by learning guitar some years later. Hart studied classical music at college, and then worked as a full-time session musician with varied artists. In 1982 he formed Combonation which issued its debut eponymous album in 1984 on Warner Bros. Records – it was produced by Ted Templeman (Van Halen). Hart provided vocals, guitar and keyboards - other members were Steve Dudas on guitar, Randy Foote on percussion and backing vocals, Rick Moors on bass guitar and Billy Thomas on drums and backing vocals.

Hart began his association with British rock band Supertramp in 1986, initially as a studio and touring musician. He provided guitar, keyboards, lead and backing vocals for their album, Free as a Bird, which was issued in October 1987.

Hart also shared the same manager as pop-rockers Crowded House, who suggested he fill in for their keyboardist Eddie Rayner with session work for the band after they experienced difficulties working together. In 1991 Hart contributed to Woodface as a session musician, later joining the band as a touring member when Tim Finn left. In 1993 Hart was credited as a full member for Together Alone. He stayed with the band after founding drummer Paul Hester left, and is seen along with the group's founders Neil Finn and Nick Seymour in the photographs from the sleeve for Recurring Dream, the 1996 greatest hits album. Hart played with the band during their farewell concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in November 1996, known as Farewell to the World.