As a trumpet player, composer, arranger, and educator, Mark Morgan is gaining major recognition as one of the most versatile musicians in the music scene today. Always looking to expand his musical repertoire, Mark is fluent in a variety of musical styles ranging from 1940s jump swing to authentic New York salsa. While he is most known for his soulful live performances, his creative talents extend further. Various collegiate ensembles, as well as many New York based performing ensembles, have performed Mr. Morgan's compositions and arrangements.
Mark began his formal music training in his school band program in Tennessee. After graduating from Giles County High School, Mark began studying music performance at Tennessee Technological University with classical trumpet instructor Dr. Charles Decker and jazz studies director Chris McCormick. Mark later switched his educational focus from trumpet performance to music education, but performing for live audiences has always been Mark's first passion and priority. Mr. Morgan further honed his craft in local big bands and with several of the university's performance ensembles. At the end of his undergraduate career, Morgan began exploring composing and arranging and later formed his own jazz ensemble. Also while studying in Tennessee, Mark was a Blue Note scholarship recipient to the Skidmore Jazz Institute and a finalist in the Jazz Solo Division of the National Trumpet Competition.
Upon receiving his degree, Mark began performing all over the United States, Mexico, and Europe working for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines. During his cruise tenure, he enjoyed the challenge of playing backup to such great artists as "The Drifters," Lenny Welch, Los Angeles based violinist and recording artist Doug Cameron, and motion picture recording pianist Pearl Kaufman. In addition to extensive performing, Mark continued his private studies with Nashville based trumpet player and recording artist Steve Patrick.
When he first arrived in New York, Mark was very active in the local musical landscape. He performed at an exhaustive list of special functions and events for celebrities such as Donald Trump, numerous New York State congressmen and senators, and even made a cameo appearance in a music video with Latino pop star Luis Miguel. Mark has also had the opportunity to perform and record with some of the hottest up and coming bands in the New York scene today. In the spring of 2007, Mr. Morgan received his Master's degree in Jazz Performance from SUNY College at Purchase, where he studied with New York based performing artists Ray Vega and Scott Wendholt, as well as jazz trumpet legend Jon Faddis.
