Mark Byerly's career as a trumpet player, composer, and arranger has spanned over 20 years, with experience in a vast array of genres including Jazz, Latin, Pop, Rock, and R&B music.
As a student of Western Michigan University’s School of Music, Mark became one of the top call trumpeters for bands traveling through the Midwest. The Temptations, Cab Calloway, Leslie Gore, Johnny Mathis, and Bobby Vinton are but a few names in the entertainment business to utilize Mark’s talents at an early age.
Upon graduating with a degree in Jazz Studies, Mark toured the United States and Sweden with the Artie Shaw Orchestra. Moving to New York City, he found success as a freelance trumpeter on the Latin music scene working with the late Puerto Rican vocalist Frankie Ruiz, percussion legend Papo Pepin, and Latin Jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz.His abilities as a creative improvisor have led him to perform with many jazz notables including Abbey Lincoln, Buddy DeFranco, and David Liebman. Mark has also recorded and performed numerous live engagements with former RCA recording artists The Verve Pipe, and appeared on front-man Brian Vander Ark’s debut solo recording on Brash Records, “Resurrection”, playing a variety of instruments.
Relocating to the Detroit area in 1997, Mark quickly became one of the most desired musicians in town. His sound has been used on countless record dates and television and radio commercials produced in Detroit. He is also a driving force behind the jazz group Bop Culture, which features a number of Mark’s original compositions and has met with critical acclaim from the media and jazz radio.
In 2003, Mark began playing trumpet and writing horn arrangements for Jive recording artist Justin Timberlake. As part of the ‘03/’04 “Justified World Tour”, he has performed in over 10 different countries worldwide, and appeared on numerous television shows including Austria’s “Wetten Das?”, MTV’s “Live From London”, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, Ellen Degeneres, NBC’s “Justin in Memphis” featuring Al Green, and the 2004 Grammy Awards with trumpet master Arturo Sandoval.
In addition to touring and recording, Mark also holds the position of Jazz Trumpet Instructor at the University of Toledo, and recently engineered, mixed, and produced the latest Unknown Records release from pianist Rick Roe – “Sphere”, featuring bassist Rodney Whitaker.
Well known for the versatility and personal approach he brings to any situation, Mark Byerly has become one of the most sought-after musicians to be found anywhere.