Composer, arranger Paul Murtha (b. 1960) is a native of Johnstown,

Pennsylvania where he studied jazz arranging with John Morris and

music theory with Richard Napolitan.

In 1983, Paul earned a B.S. degree in Music Education (with a minor in

Jazz Studies) from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. While at

Duquesne, Paul studied jazz arranging with John Wilson and

orchestration with Joseph Wilcox Jenkins.

A versatile composer-arranger, Paul is at ease in both professional and

educational circles, and is in constant demand as a guest conductor,

adjudicator and clinician. Paul has written music for acclaimed mezzo-

soprano Denyce Graves, Patti LaBelle, Kathy Mattea, Lou Rawls, Kenny

Loggins, Elle King, Deniece Williams, and Ken Burn’s “Music of the Civil

War." He has also written extensively for some of the top college and

high school marching bands in the country.

Paul’s work with the National Symphony Orchestra includes

arrangements for artists such as Trace Adkins, Jordin Sparks, Gloria

Estefan, Gladys Knight, Huey Lewis and the News, The Four Tops, The

Beach Boys, The Temptations, Loren Allred, The Blues Brothers, and

Five For Fighting for nationally televised events including “A Capitol

Fourth” and the “National Memorial Day Concert.”

In December of 2016 Paul’s “A Swingin’ Nutcracker”, a ninety minute

work for full symphony orchestra, was premiered by the Baltimore

Symphony Orchestra.  Recent projects include arrangements and orchestrations for "The Kennedy Center Honors" as well as commissions by many regional

orchestras, community bands and corporate entities across the

country.

From 1990 to 1996, Paul served as the Chief Arranger at the United

States Military Academy Band at West Point, NY. He served on the

arranging staff of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”, in

Washington, D.C., from 1996 to 2001 and then served as that band’s

Chief Arranger from 2001 to 2016.

Paul is published exclusively by the Hal Leonard Corporation where he

contributes music to many areas of the instrumental catalog.

In 2001, Mark Taylor retired as chief arranger for The United States Army Band, "Pershing's Own," where he was on staff for 42 years. During that time, he composed extensively for the Army Blues, writing all of the material for their album, A New Beginning, and much of the material for Scream Machine. His arrangements and compositions have been performed by the US Army Blues throughout the world including concerts at the prestigious

Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland.

Prior to joining the Army, Mark was fortunate to write for Stan Kenton, who recorded many of his compositions and also gave him his start in music publishing. He has a large publishing portfolio and has influenced thousands of student musicians, many of whom were first exposed to big band jazz. through his music.

Mark is the arranger and producer of the Hal Leonard Play-along Series which to date numbers over 175 books for young and experienced improvisers.  He has produced and arranged 2 CDs of his music with drummer Steve Fidyk. Their Taylor/Fidyk Big Band CDs have been met with rave reviews.

His latest recording titled "To the Edge" - Mark Taylor &the BigBand - explores Mark's 45-year fascination with the sound of a big band. Eighteen jazz musicians who come together to play in a cohesive and effortless manner with an emphasis on "swinging!" Available at cdbaby.com.

Mark is a highly-regarded clinician, presenting many workshops on arranging for jazz. band and has served as conductor for many all-state jazz. bands. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music.  Mark is currently a staff arranger for Hal Leonard Corporation and resides in Calabash, North Carolina.