Mark Taylor (Saxophonist/Composer/Taylormademusic)

Mark Taylor

Mark Taylor is widely regarded as one of Australia's most versatile and accomplished saxophone and woodwind players.

Originally form 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. He is in constant demand as a featured soloist and freelance performer in contemporary jazz; big bands; rhythm and blues; pop and rock; as well as commercial orchestral, TV and studio work.

As an emerging 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 four of Morrison's CD's: "Live at The Sydney Opera House"(East-West), "The Gospel Collection", "The Gospel Collection 2" , (Morrison Records) and " The Other Woman " with Deni Hines

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, Leo Sayer, 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, David Campbell, 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 performed nationally as principal saxophone/woodwind in the touring orchestra for the sell out Arena Spectacular 'The Boy From Oz' with Australian star Hugh Jackman.

In 2007, Mark has continued performing nationally, featuring in arena tours with "Human Nature" and "The Countdown 2 Spectacular", whilst also working as Musical Director for song and dance man Wayne Scott Kermond in his highly successful theatrical tribute to Sammy Davis Jr, "Candy Man".

Mark was also the featured artist in the June 2007 edition of Australian Clarinet and Saxophone Magazine. Click here to read the full interview.

He currently maintains a busy performing and recording schedule in a wide variety of musical settings in Australia and abroad.