this page updated 17 April 2007

Mark Newman was born in north London and moved to Leeds with his family when he was sixteen.  For as long as he can remember, Mark had always wanted a guitar and, at eleven, he was bought his first - an old nylon classic - just in time to be part of the skiffle craze.  At thirteen, he joined a skiffle group and spent two years playing four chords! 

It was on the 6-5 Special that he first heard the guitar playing of Big Bill Broonzy and was hooked.  He threw away the flatpick and has played fingerstyle ever since.  Interestingly, both Lonnie Donegan (the Guv'nor) and Big Bill played the same model of guitar - and that was the beginning of another saga! He learnt various instrumentals by ear and, at the same time, found another source of inspiration in the American Union records acquired by his father.

Mark started going to the Topic folk club in the very early days and shared the stage with well-known performers, including  Alex Campbell, Joe Locker, Richard Farina, Carolyn Hester and a host of other great musicians. All these influences became part of his guitar style. He's always enjoyed jazz guitar players, particularly Wes Montgomery, and often ‘borrowed’ small parts of his formidable technique. 

While at teacher training college at Scraptoft, Leicester, Mark began to teach guitar. He continued for many years and is recognised today as "a major influence on folk and blues music in Leicester....part of the folk heritage in the city and as a teacher and guitarist who laid the foundations of the city's current roots music scene". (Leicester Mercury) 

One of his early pupils was Terry Lees, recently voted Acoustic Player of the Year in Guitarist magazine and people like Steve Tilston recognise the influence that Mark had on their playing. Mark's recollections of  his time in Leicester include opening for the Rev Gary Davis and Ramblin' Jack Elliott at the college. 

Mark played for a time in various blues and soul bands (notably, The Boss and The Broodly Hoo - the drummer was Rob Townsend, who now plays with Paul Jones and The Blues Band) and became a  solo performer in  folk clubs with great success, travelling widely across England, Scotland and Wales. He became well-known for being able to play and sing a wide variety of material, ranging from blues to union songs, celtic instrumentals, traditional material and good-time music. He enjoys the humorous songs of Miles Wootton and Tom Lehrer and often includes them in his repertoire. He also writes his own material, mainly instrumentals with a traditional feel. 

Mark's brother, Chris, known internationally for his classy flatpicking and his quality musical partnership with Irish harper Máire Ní Chathasaigh, influenced Mark in his developing interest in celtic music that now forms a much-appreciated part of his performance. 

Never a full-time professional, instead Mark combined his daytime teaching job with a busy schedule of gigs, but as the responsibilities of teaching developed, it became less easy to commit the time to playing semi-professionally. However, following encouragement from some old friends and players, Mark is now performing regularly again in the UK and France. 

Mark bought his first Martin, a 1946 000-21 from a collector in Long Island in 1969 - for £75.  Since that time, he has stayed with the brand. The Martin Owners Club, which he set up with John Coy, was a logical step and provided many owners with opportunities to meet and pick a little. 

At the present time, using predominantly two tunings, Mark plays a 000-28 EC (DADDAE) and his custom 000-45 (EADGBE). He still has the 000-21 which occasionally sees the light of day! Mark has been playing both in the UK and France over the past four years and has also played live on radio in both countries.