We would like to welcome and introduce… Maestro Mark Heggen to ImageEssencePhotography as a team member.

At an early age Mark was surrounded by a musically talented family.  Piano and trumpet captured his interest and he quickly excelled at both. His trumpet skills propelled him into All State Band in High School and later to the Iowa State University Concert and Jazz Bands. Playing trumpet and Hammond organ with The Noteables in college led to winning a Midwest Regional Band competition resulting in an appearance on a nationally televised Dick Clark production in Hollywood. This band made a lasting impression on music history and was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.  Later, while touring with the U.S. Air Force Band, Mark performed with the memorable Bob Hope and Ann Margaret tour, as well as many other prestigious military events.

While playing with Analysis, (contemporary jazz band) they produced the “Nightlife” CD. The CD reached the Top 30 on Billboard’s national contemporary jazz chart. Mark opened for several top artists such as:  Marion Meadows, Michael Lingdon, Phil Perry, and Wayman Tisdale. He has also performed with Roger Smith, nationally known Contemporary Jazz artist and keyboardist for Tower of Power. Mark has had the privilege over the years of playing with many extraordinary musicians who have performed or toured with such notables as: George Duke, Whitney Houston, Ray Charles, Jimmy Smith, Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker, Pavarotti, Ike and Tina Turner, Sly Stone, The Drifters, Bill Withers, The Pointer Sisters, Van Morrison, Linda Ronstadt, Jeffrey Osborne, Albert Collins, Dave Mason, and Huey Lewis & The News.

Mark performed with many Northern California bands for 15 years. In 2016 he and his wife Gayla, along with Kona the wonder dog, moved to Meridian Idaho, just outside of Boise. Mark’s current focus is keyboards. He is currently performing with many outstanding local musicians in the Boise, Idaho area. In April of 2022 Mark played keyboards in a special concert event for 2 sold out performances in Boise, Idaho. The band featured former musicians from such Bands and Artists as: Santana, Lionel Richie, Robben Ford, Confunkshun, Merle Haggard, and a current member of Tower of Power. 

We feel very privileged to have Mark join us at ImageEssence Scenic & Nature Photography. As a team member Mark Heggen provides us with an opportunity to create extraordinary music for our Multimedia Video Productions. Mark has composed and created music tracks for most of our video productions, as well as for our outstanding talented photographers from around the world. The beauty of nature can be experienced and enhanced by combining the art of photography and sound. Mark is truly a gifted musician; he is inspired by what visual he sees… while composing and playing music for our video Productions.

Welcome Mark!