MARK MCKNIGHT - GUITAR
Guitarist Mark McKnight began his studies in jazz when awarded a scholarship from the Arts Council of Ireland to study at the Skidmore Jazz Institute, NY . The following year Mark attended Berklee College of Music on scholarship from which he graduated in 2006, receiving awards for outstanding musicianship.
Since returning to Ireland Mark's “singing, high-energy” (Journal of Music in Ireland) improvisational approach has led to him being described in terms such as “ an exceptional talent” and “the future of Irish Jazz guitar” by the music press, accolades attested to by his being named the "Best Young Irish Musician 2009" at the Cork Jazz Festival.
As well as performing and/or recording with artists such as Will Vinson (Ari Hoenig), Jason Rebello (Sting), Sam Yahel (Joshua Redman), Mark Ferber, Darren Beckett (Kurt Rosenwinkel), Jean Toussaint (Jazz Messengers), Terell Stafford (McCoy Tyner) and Tim Warfield (Christian McBride), McKnight has played at major jazz festivals including London, Cork, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Montreux, being awarded 3rd place in the Montreux International Jazz Guitar Competition 2008 . He has toured extensively throughout Europe, performing in Austria, Czech Rep., Norway, Solvenia, Slovakia and Switzerland as well as throughout the UK and Ireland. Mark's Guitar Trio was one of twelve emerging jazz ensembles from across Europe to be selected to take part in the 12 Points Festival 2010.
McKnight is also noted for his work as composer and in Nov 2008, thanks to a generous grant from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, travelled to NYC to record an album highlighting a selection of his compositions. Entitled "Overnight" , this recording features Sam Yahel (piano), Will Vinson (alto), Mark Ferber (drums) and Euan Burton (bass).
He currently leads two groups, the MMcK Guitar Trio and the MMcK Organ Quartet, which bring together some of the UK's leading young jazz musicians.
Mark is currently based in Belfast, N. Ireland whilst completing a PhD in Jazz Performance and has been selected as the UK representative for the European Jazz Orchestra 2010.
