Mark Armstrong

Newly appointed as the Musical Director for NYJO in April 2010 having taken the rehearsals and written for the band for about ten years, and before that being a member of the trumpet section I believe that makes me the second longest serving NYJO1 person after Bill Ashton.

Away from NYJO I do a lot of freelance playing: A member of Clark Tracey’s Quintet for seven years, recording two studio albums and touring widely. I am privileged to play with Stan Tracey in his quintet and big band, and the octet from time to time. I have just recorded my own quartet album 'Coastbound' with Tom Cawley (ex NYJO), Clark Tracey and Andrew Cleyndert.

I have played with a huge number of big bands from Mike Garrick’s band to Echoes of Ellington and Gillespiana, where according to John Fordham I was the “solo star of the outfit” and Alyn Shipton said that I was “pirouetting through Gillespie’s breaks quicker than a hummingbird’s wings” – thanks chaps!

I am also a member of the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra which performs once a month at the club. I do a number of west end show deps and various other gigs all over the place – I spent a year touring Italy and Scandinavia with Ray Gelato.

I write and arrange for big bands, small groups, orchestras and choirs, and many of my pieces have been recorded by NYJO over the years. I won the BBC Radio Two National Big Band Competition arrangement prize some years ago.

I am Jazz Professor at the Royal College of Music where I lecture in jazz history and harmony/composition, run big bands and small groups, and give individual tuition. Marvin Stamm, who visited us for a workshop and concert last year, was kind enough to comment:
"In Mark Armstrong, you have a real gem! He is a very fine musician - wonderful player, excellent composer/arranger, and he knows how to rehearse and work with young people to bring out their best. There is nothing more you could ask for in one of your faculty."

I also examine for the ABRSM and am a jazz trainer and advisor, which means I get to listen to a large number of young jazz musicians each year! Recently we have been working on a Grades 6 to 8 syllabus which I very much hope will appear in public sooner rather than later.

In my role for NYJO I am very conscious of the need to follow the traditions which the band has become known for amongst professional players and the band’s audience, but also move things on and innovate musically. I hope we are achieving both.