Following the departure of regular reeds player Trevor Whiting to join The Chris Barber Band, we are proud to announce that top Sax and Clarinet player Mark Crooks has joined The Clare Teal Band as a full member. Mark has taken up the post already and can be seen live with Clare as she tours the country. Mark will also be featuring heavily on Clare’s third album for Candid Records that is to be recorded this May for release in September 2003.
Mark began his musical training by earning a degree in music performance, majoring in clarinet at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music. He moved to London to study at the Guildhall on the postgraduate jazz course after winning the young jazz player of the year competition in 1991.
Since lreaving college he has worked in a wide range of musical settings including classical work and shows, but he is most at home in the jazz world. He has played at all of London’s top jazz venues and has worked with, amongst others; Brian Dee, John Critchinson, John Pearce, Dave Newton and guitarists Dave Cliff, Phil Lee and Colin Oxley.
As well as being a permanent member of The Clare Teal Band, Mark currently leads his own quintet as well as the two tenor band “Spike’s Young Lions” with Derek Nash.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
