Named Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year (Jazz FM Awards, 2025), Mark Kavuma has earned a reputation as a leading figure in British jazz. Equally adept at performing on the cutting edge of London’s vibrant nu-jazz scene as mentoring emerging talent, he balances community engagement with his artistic pursuits. 

   

Celebrated for his distinctive trumpet sound, blending lyricism, soulful tone, and graceful technique, his performances exude joy and inspire deep connection between artist and audience. His compositional style, rich in colour, texture, and harmony, immerses bandmates and listeners alike in a vibrant, contemporary musical landscape.

   

Kavuma has released eight albums featuring his original compositions: Mark Kavuma & The Banger Factory – Magnum Opus (2024), The Dandy (2024), Erskine & Kavuma – Ultrasound (2023), The Banger Factory – Warriors (2022), Back-to-Back (2022, debut piano record), Arashi No Ato (2021), The Banger Factory (2019, Ubuntu), and Kavuma (2018, Ubuntu), which was named one of the year’s best albums by DownBeat magazine.

   

Beyond his work as a bandleader, Kavuma’s creative reach extends into other media. In 2024, he composed original music for Penhaligon’s Presents: The Dandy, an EP inspired by the luxury fragrance brand’s new scent. He also appeared as himself in a BBC Agatha Christie drama.

   

Through the Banger Factory collective and its associated record label (Banger Factory Records), Kavuma is establishing a platform that empowers emergent talent to flourish creatively and reach their full potential while shaping the future of music beyond traditional boundaries of genre, gender, and geography.

   

Kavuma is a dedicated educator and creative mentor. He serves as an associate music leader for Tomorrow’s Warriors, contributing to professional ensembles such as the Nu Civilisation Orchestra, Jazz Jamaica Small Band, and Jazz Jamaica All Stars. In addition, he is a brass tutor and leader with Kinetika Bloco, a London-based carnival band. Under his guidance, Kinetika Bloco released their debut album Legacy (2022) on Banger Factory Records.

  

Mark Kavuma’s multifaceted career reflects his commitment to innovation, education, and the ongoing evolution of music, cementing his status as a significant force in contemporary jazz.