Mark Harrison studied classical piano as a child, and by his teenage years was playing in various rock bands in his native Southern England. In the 1980s he began writing music for TV and commercials, including a piece that was used for the British Labor Party ads in a national election. He also appeared on British television (BBC), and became a fixture on London's pub-rock circuit.

In 1987 he relocated to Los Angeles to experience the music business in the U.S.A. He soon began performing with top musicians such as John Molo (Bruce Hornsby band), Jay Graydon (Steely Dan), Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets), and numerous others. Mark currently performs with his own contemporary jazz band (the Mark Harrison Quintet) as well as with the popular Steely Dan tribute band Doctor Wu.

Mark continues to write music for television, and his recent credits include Saturday Night Live, The Montel Williams Show, American Justice, Celebrity Profiles, America's Most Wanted, True Hollywood Stories, the British documentary program Panorama, and many others.

Mark has also become one of the top contemporary music educators in Los Angeles. He taught at the renowned Grove School of Music for six years, instructing hundreds of musicians from all around the world. Mark currently runs a busy private teaching studio, catering to the needs of professional and aspiring musicians alike. His students include Grammy-winners, hit songwriters, members of the Boston Pops and L.A. Philharmonic orchestras, and first-call touring musicians with major acts.

Mark's music instruction books are used by thousands of musicians in over twenty countries, and are recommended by the Berklee College of Music for all their new students. He also writes Master Class articles for Keyboard and How To Jam magazines, covering a variety of different keyboard styles and topics.