Biography

After playing the piano for more than 28 years, Mark has built up a wealth of experience as a performer, accompanist and arranger. For over 5 years he worked as the main rehearsal pianist for Sing Live UK’s North-East branch, working alongside highly-regarded musical director, arranger and vocal coach Gary Griffiths. Hand-picked by Gary in 2008 to help him get the Inspiration choir off the ground at The Sage Gateshead, Mark continues to work as an arranger and accompanist for the hugely-successful choir contributing arrangements such as “Walking in Memphis”, Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish”, and a particularly dramatic version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” which has become a crowd favourite.

Mark's other arranging work has included working with bands of young musicians on shows in all kinds of styles in his day job, as well as working with several a cappella vocal groups. However, his biggest success was conceiving a project that involved Tony Kakko, vocalist of Finnish metal stars Sonata Arctica, performing Mark’s arrangements of Sonata Arctica’s material at The Sage Gateshead with an orchestra and a choir of over 300 singers in April 2008. Over 3,500 people witnessed the results and gave a rapturous reception.

Mark has taught piano for over 16 years, tailoring lessons to whatever style is required or for whatever reason. Some pupils have wanted to learn to read music whilst some wanted to play along to some of their favourite CDs. Someone once even learned how to play a specific song to surprise a family member at a wedding! He is available for occasional, consultancy-style sessions if you have a specific problem you require help with, or for regular lessons as appropriate.

Mark is also available to perform piano at your wedding, birthday, or any other function. With many years of experience performing jazz, pop, rock, blues and music theatre at all kinds of venues from cricket clubs to concert halls, cathedrals to Disney (!), if you would like a professional performance or accompaniment at your event, please get in touch.

In addition, Mark is a singer-songwriter. Whilst he has been involved in a vast range of musical styles and projects from metal to classical throughout his career, his solo acoustic-based material has been compared to artists as diverse as Frank Black, Seth Lakeman, R.E.M and Alice in Chains. Whilst a specialist piano and keyboard player, on his debut album “Safesake” Mark also plays guitar, bass, viola, and the smallest hint of Irish bouzouki, as well as performing all vocals. Released in August 2010, and described as “Folk tinged elegance” by Rock-a Rolla magazine, the album has received a very positive reception, and is available from iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon, and direct from Mark at gigs.

In addition, Mark arranged, performed and produced the music on the last two albums by his father Dave Deeks. Please see www.DaveDeeks.com for more information.