Jayson K Mackie was born In Cardiff in 1975 and started piano lessons at 10, guitar at 13 and flute at 14. Started composing at 15 whilst studying GSCE music. Played flute in South Glamorgan Flute and Clarinet Ensemble and flute and clarinet in South Glamorgan Schools' Jazz Orchestra.

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Continued interest and development in composition through A-level study resulted in the successful publication of two collections of educational pieces – Jazz Suite for four flutes (1991) and Holiday Music for flute and piano (1991) in 1992 at the age of 17. These works were written for GCSE and A-level music respectively and published by Spartan Press Music Publishers Ltd where the Jazz Suite has become a best- seller. Began private teaching of piano, flute, music theory in 1994 to present and occasional work experience teaching music and playing piano for productions in various local primary schools.

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Accepted for entry into Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to study composition with Gareth Davies in 1997. This lead to many successful performances of works, a Wind Quintet (1997) chosen to represent the college at the Inter Conservatoire Composers Consortium held at the RNCM in 1998 and cash scholarship awards for high compositional achievement in 1998,1999 and 2003. In 2000 received a joint Arts Council / National Lottery commission with Roshanak Nasehi to write music for children's play The Big Stink with libretto by Vivian French. Awarded a distinction for LWCMD Performer's Licentiate Diploma in July 2000.

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Returned to RWCMD in 2002 to begin MMus degree in composition under Lynne Plowman and Tim Raymond. Further successful performances of works continued. Weather Notes From Baby Earth (2003) – a tone poem depicting ancient weather patterns for orchestra was chosen to represent the RWCMD in a composers forum at BBC Studios in Cardiff, in a workshop performance and recording by BBC National Orchestra of Wales in March 2003.