Mark Leggett

MARK LEGGETT   Long Bio 

Composer/Guitarist Mark Leggett picked up the guitar at an early age and taught himself the styles of the places he lived. An Air Force kid constantly relocating, Leggett would check out the local music scene of each new city learning rootsy R&B in Arkansas, jazz/blues in Kansas City, grungy-rock in Washington State, and even learning in Guam the blend of music styles of the Asian-Pacific. It is this versatility he draws on in his work as a composer for film, documentaries and television. 

After moving to Los Angeles in the summer of ’79 Leggett was eventually signed as a songwriter by Warner Chappell and would team with developing and established artists to write songs, co-writing the hit “The World Still Turns” with star Kylie Minogue. As a guitarist, his work can be heard 1989 #1 hit “Toy Soldiers” by Martika, since sampled by Eminem. Also in the’80’s Leggett was asked to compose for a FOX tv series, which led to his first TV mini-series Great Drives where he composed music that was recorded by Levon Helm and The Band.  

Mark has become a valued collaborator with numerous recording artists, directors and co-composers.  His collaboration on the NBC series The Pretender would earn Leggett his first EMMY® nomination. His second EMMY® nomination would be for the documentary Conquistador: A Day In Their Lives. 

Mark then co-wrote the music for the NBC hit comedy My Name is Earl. 

With Werner Herzog as narrator, Mark composed the music for the film Dinotasia. 

He also collaborated with guitarist/songwriter Richard Thompson on several documentaries including HBO’s The Cold Blue, Dark Secrets of the Lusitania and JFK: The Final Hours. 

As a guitarist, Mark is known for his unique arrangements and has been interviewed in the premier guitar magazines Fretboard Journal and Fingerstyle Journal as well as having many popular performance videos online. He also has had a monthly residency for several years at the Los Angeles music venue TRiP, performing live with his instrumental band. 

A résumé that includes scoring documentaries, comedy, drama and an interest in all forms of music continues to color his tonal palate.  In his Los Angeles studio, he utilizes traditional instrumentation, modern software, and world-class musicians to record his music.