Mark Fitzgibbon

Mark Fitzgibbon ,Jazz pianist

was born into a strong entertainment tradition.
He is the son of well known Melbourne entertainer Graham “Smacka” Fitzgibbon nephew to actress \singer Maggie Fitzgibbon and grandson to pianist \ vaudevillian Min Fitzgibbon, his sister Nichaud is a famed jazz vocalist.

A piano student of Fred Thomas, Marie Driscoll and Trevor Barnard he also studied alto sax with Peter Clinch.
Mark worked with many leading Melbourne bands in the 80’s including the Vince Jones band and Wilbur Wildes “Blowout”.

In the 80’s moved to UK and performed throughout Europe and UK
In London worked as a freelance pianist regularly performing at the 606 club, Pizza Express and Ronnie Scott’s jazz clubs.
Notable bands included Tommy Chase Qt, Alan Barne’s Pizza Express Modern Jazz Sextet, Clarke Tracey Gerard Presencer qt, Jean Toussaint, Ruth Rogers Wright Moontwist, The Moodists, Bryan Spring trio, Don Weller ,Art Themen , Henry Lowther qt , Tina May and Claire Martin.
Mark returned to Australia in the 90’s and won the Wangarratta jazz festival piano prize.
He has performed throughout Australia with many leading Jazz Artists such as Dale Barlow, Bernie Mcgann,  James Morrison, Grace Knight.

A highly regarded jazz pianist, Mark has continues to be demand within Australia as a solo artist, accompanist, composer and recording artist on stage, TV and radio.
He has accompanied American jazz stars Scott Hamilton, Lee Konitz, John Stubblefield  and vocalists Mark Murphy ,  Veronica Swift and Patti Austin on their Australian tours

Mark  currently performs in Melbourne with his jazz  trio ,  and is accompanist for many of Melbourne’s best vocalists.

He was artist in residence at WAAPA, Edith Cowan University, WA in 2009 lecturing in jazz and piano studies and his  quartet CD “Closer” is available on Jazzhead records.

Mark is currently jazz piano lecturer at VCAAS and Ivanhoe Grammar school.

“Mark Fitzgibbon is one of the most under rated talents in the country. Always musically tasteful, a consistently sympathetic accompanist, a repository of a vast repertoire and an impeccable touch, he can produce blistering solos and lift the music to another level” -Adrian Jackson the AGE

“Mark Fitzgibbon’s playing is relentless ,inventive, respectful but most importantly swings like hell. He’s one of the finests artists in Australia, one of the most incisive musical minds out there”
-Simon Tedeschi ABC 24 Hours