Mark Fitzgibbon

Victoria, Australia

Mark Fitzgibbon was born in 1963 into a strong entertainment tradition; the son of well known Australian entertainer and restaurateur Graham "Smacka" Fitzgibbon, and nephew to actress Maggie Fitzgibbon. A piano student from an early age, Mark studied under Fred Thomas, Marie Driscoll and Trevor Barnard, and later with Peter Clinch.

By the time he had turned 20, Mark had already spent 3 years working and recording with many leading Australian Jazz stars, including the Ken Schroeder Quartet, Wilbur Wilde's Blowout and Vince Jones.

In 1984 he moved to London and performed throughout Europe for the subsequent seven years. In London he worked as a freelance pianist on London scene, regularly performing at famous London Jazz clubs; Ronnie Scott's , 606 Club , Bass Clef , Pizza Express, and touring extensively throughout the United Kingdom.

In 1986 he recorded the album, "Drive", with Tommy Chase, which won Wire Magazine's 'Best British Jazz Album 1986'. Mark formed the Pizza Express modern jazz sextet with Gerard Prescencer and Alan Barnes, led piano trio with Bryan Spring, and toured throughout Britain with with various renowned jazz artists including Lew Tabackin, Charles McPherson, Jean Toussaint, Clarke Tracey.

During his time in Britain he also accompanied jazz singers Tina May and Claire Martin, made appearances on BBC TV and radio, and toured with Pop groups including Simply Red, Michael McDonald, the B52's, Blondie, and Moontwist.

In 1991 he returned to Australia and won the Australian Jazz Piano Award at the Wangaratta festival of Jazz. A highly regarded pianist, Mark has since continued to be in high demand within Australia as a solo artist, accompanist, composer and recording artist on stage, national television and live radio. Mark has accompanied American jazz stars Scott Hamilton, Lee Konitz, John Stubblefield and Mark Murphy on their Australian tours, and continues to tour Europe and Asia.