Mark WArburton

Starting at an early age Mark has played drums for most of his life and for the last 10 years has worked extensively as a professional session musician. Having studied with first class tutors such as Ed Thigpen, Dave Hassell,Steve White and Munch Manship, Mark has equipped himself with the knowledge and experience necessary to become an outstanding and diverse reading musician, using both acoustic and electronic drums. On top of his heavy schedule of recording and gigging, Mark still finds time to teach drums privately.

His professional achievements to date include working and recording with the likes of Gloria Gaynor, Errol Brown (Hot Chocolate), Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music), Andy Prior, Tupele Dorgu (Coronation St, Soap Star Superstar) Anthony Kinsey's 'Schwing' orchestra, Cole Page, Tamra Keenan, Ollie Collins and the hotly tipped Future Funk Squad who have been touring all over the world (Shanghai, Berlin, Spain, Romania and London). Mark has also played at the UK's biggest and best festival, Glastonbury for the last 3 years performing on the Avalon, Glade and West Dance stages.

He toured throughout Denmark with the Benneweis Cirkus in 2003 playing 196 shows in 82 different towns and cities, all within 6 months. He was Band Leader at the world famous Blackpool Tower circus in 2005 and has recently performed live on the ITV show This Morning. Working with various solo artists and bands, Mark has played alongside Snoop Dogg, Atomic Kitten, Orbital, Hybrid, Trent Moeller, Infusion and The Levellers.

Mark is the drummer for up and coming band The Goodbye Plot who have recently started recording their debut album at Real World studios with the legendary producer/engineer Pete Schweir (The Who, Duran Duran, Queen, Rod Stewart). The band also spent time in the studio with Ken Nelson who has produced albums for Coldplay, Paulo Nutini and Echo & The Bunnymen. Their current single Bruise is getting good airplay on BBC Radio 2 & 6 Music.

Continually eager to try new and demanding challenges, Mark is currently touring with The Swing Commanders who perform regularly to sold out shows and standing ovations. Mark has recenly returned from their eagerly awaited debut tour of Texas. The tour was a huge success and after taking in gigs on Kens 5 TV, Koop radio, The Legends Of Western Swing Festival, The Continental Club, Gruene hall, Sams Burger Bar and many more, have already been invited back this year for a bigger tour.

In August they performed 3 shows in Holland at the Floralia Festival they went down a storm and got this lovely review....

...By the Sunday night The Swing Commanders had become a legend in the Netherlands. Not just their three shows during the day, which electrified the crowd but at the after show party which went on till 2am at the request of President Theo Van Gorp. He called them 'Top Band' of the show. Utterly amazing when he had hosted The Cats - the Dutch equivalent of the Eagles on Saturday night! (Gerda)

Their new live cd 'Live at the Grand and their dvd of Texas is now available from the website (see friends).

Be sure to check The Swing Commanders Myspace page (see friends) for all upcoming tour dates near you!