Mark Armstrong

Mark Armstrong is a graduate of Oxford University and studied Jazz and Studio music at the Guildhall School of Music. As Jazz Professor at the RCM he lectures on jazz style, history, arranging, composition and improvisation. He directs the RCM Big Band and Jazz Orchestra, devises and presents educational content for the Sparks programme. He is currently Artistic Director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra where his role includes directing concerts, commissioning new work and overseeing the Learning and Participation programme. He is an examiner, presenter, trainer and moderator for the ABRSM.

As a player he is a member of the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra which performs regularly at the club in London and further afield. He has worked with a wide variety of notable jazz musicians in the UK including Stan and Clark Tracey, John and Alec Dankworth, Zoe Rahman, Nigel Price, Dan Casmir and others. He composes and arranges for jazz orchestra and small groups. He writes commercial compositions and arrangements for Audio Network and has had an extensive commercial career as a trumpet player in sessions and West End shows.