The Banger Factory
Biography The Banger Factory
Mark Kavuma
is a key player in London’s rapidly expanding jazz scene. As leader, he has released six albums including ‘Kavuma’ (2018), voted among the best albums of the year by Downbeat magazine and The Banger Factory (2019), both released with UK record label Ubuntu Music. Other solo albums include ‘Arashi No Ato’ (2021), ‘Back to Back’ (2022, debut piano record), The Banger Factory – Warriors (2022) and most recently: Erskine & Kavuma – Ultrasound (2023). All released on his emergent label Banger Factory records.
Firmly rooted in the hard bop tradition, Mark infuses this indelible musical movement with the energy, attitude and swagger of a new generation of creators. Musically, he has a unique and distinctive sound on the trumpet and an assured, finely crafted and personal approach to the instrument. Hints of gospel music, soul, and spiritual jazz sit alongside Hard Bop within his compositions and the prominence of Hammond Organ on his second album references Mark’s love of church music.
A gifted educator and inspirational creative enabler, Mark is an associate Music Leader for the Tomorrow’s Warriors programme, and is also involved in their professional performance ensembles, including the acclaimed Nu Civilisation Orchestra, Jazz Jamaica Small Band and Jazz Jamaica All Stars. He is also a brass tutor and leader at London based carnival band Kinetika Bloco.
Starting his professional career in his late teens, earlier career highlights include being featured twice with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, touring Europe with the legendary Salif Keita and Les Ambassadeurs and touring the world in Peter Brooke’s Production of ‘The Suit’.
He has recently completed a debut piano album and is also working on the Kinetika Bloco-All Stars album featuring a host of London’s burgeoning new jazz generation including Theon Cross, Nubya Garcia, Femi Koleoso, Ruben Fox, Sheila Maurice Grey and Reuben James.
