Home » Jazz Musicians » Mark Vickness

Mark Vickness

Mark Vickness began his musical training on piano at age six. The road from there to the composer/modern fingerstyle guitarist he is today included a bachelor’s and master’s degree in composition, studies in classical piano, guitar, sitar and tabla, years as a performing jazz guitarist, composer and arranger, several film scores and two decades of recording and performing as the instrumental half of the acoustic fusion duo, Glass House. Mark’s performing experience spans a huge range of genres from free improvisation to West African drum and dance ensembles, from Motown and funk bands to big band jazz and orchestral conducting. Schooled in composition by Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Mel Powell, Mark has recorded and performed with world renowned musicians including two time Grammy winners, The Turtle Island String Quartet, Alex de Grassi, Don Ross, violinist, Mads Tolling, and legendary bassist, Michael Manring. Mark’s debut solo CD, Places, has garnered tremendous critical acclaim. Writing in Acoustic Guitar Magazine (November, 2018), Pat Moran had this to say: “Vickness’ uncanny ability to evoke the complex emotions linked to these times and places transcend the specific and catapults his travelogue into the universal. A varied and virtuosic “photo album” of remote, gritty, and mystical locales, Places traces a map of Vickness’ emotional life, while sketching the subtle and winding pathways creativity takes on its way to fruition.”


Tags

2
Album Review

Mark Vickness: Places

Read "Places" reviewed by Andrew J. Sammut


Inspired by rock gods such as Jimi Hendrix and studying with the likes of Mel Powell, guitarist/composer Mark Vickness uses powerful technique and sophisticated harmony to explore texture and mood on “Prince William Sound." Comparisons with a body of water aren't cliche: a pensive six-note motif flows in gradually, surfaces over a subtle ground pulse, then ripples and surges into cool harmonics, country twangs, fat single-note phrases, thick orchestral chords, and even a miniature “bass" solo, before fading away into ...

Read more articles
4

Recording

MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected) To Release 'In The Rain Shadow'

MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected) To Release 'In The Rain Shadow'

Source: William James

Following the release of Places in 2017 and Interconnected in 2020, composer/guitarist Mark Vickness announces the release of In The Rain Shadow with a newly expanded group, MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected) comprising two time Grammy winning violinist, Mads Tolling, Matt Renzi on oboe/English horn and saxophone, cellist Joseph Hebert, Dan Feiszli on upright and electric bass and a percussion section featuring tabla virtuoso, Ty Burhoe and Grammy winning percussionist, MB Gordy in addition to Mark’s acoustic and electric guitars. Says ...

2

Recording

Acoustic Guitar Virtuoso Mark Vickness To Release Second Album Interconnected

Acoustic Guitar Virtuoso Mark Vickness To Release Second Album Interconnected

Source: Glass Onyon PR - William James

Three years after releasing his debut solo CD, Places, composer/guitarist, Mark Vickness releases Interconnected featuring four new solo modern fingerstyle compositions and four original pieces with his new ensemble, also called Interconnected. In addition to Mark on acoustic guitars, the ensemble brings together two time Grammy winning violinist, Mads Tolling, cellist Joseph Hebert, Dan Feiszli on upright and electric bass and tabla virtuoso, Ty Burhoe. Says Mark, “The music on this recording is intended to convey interconnectedness, the reality that ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

In The Rain Shadow

Self Produced
2023

buy

Interconnected

Self Produced
2020

buy

Places

Self Produced
2017

buy

Videos

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.