A middle-aged man with short light brown hair and a mustache, crossing his arms and looking at the camera, wearing a dark long-sleeve shirt against a plain gray background.
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MEET MARK VICKNESS

Mark began his musical training on piano at age six. The road from there to the composer/modern fingerstyle guitarist/ensemble leader he is today includes 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, compositions for orchestra and modern dance, several film scores and years of songwriting, recording and performing as the instrumental half of the acoustic fusion duo, Glass House.

With influences ranging from Michael Hedges to John McLaughlin and Ralph Towner, and from Jimmy Page and Pat Metheney to Andres Segovia, Mark’s experience spans a huge range of genres from free improvisation and classical guitar concerts to West African drum and dance ensembles, from Motown and funk bands to big band jazz to orchestral conducting and more. 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, modern fingerstyle guitarists Alex de Grassi and Don Ross, three-time Grammy-winning percussionist MB Gordy and legendary Windham Hill composer/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 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.”

Since then, Mark released Interconnected in 2020 followed by the 2023 release of In The Rain Shadow and 2024 release of I Will Find My Way. Most recently, MVI released Textures In The Realm Of Pure Color (April, 2026), an EP featuring collaborations with mandolin virtuoso Mike Marshall and banjo phenom Carson Moore. The EP also features arrangements of two jazz classics, Birdland (Zawinul/Weather Report) and Maiden Voyage by Herbie Hancock.

  • “Mark Vickness’s musical journey spans a lifetime of exploration and mastery across various genres and cultural traditions. With a foundation in Western classical tradition and experiences ranging from jazz to world music, Vickness and MVI embody the belief that music is a universal language that transcends boundaries. Their music speaks to the interconnectedness of humanity, offering a rich tapestry of sounds that resonate with listeners worldwide.”

    — John Stojan, LA Weekly

  • “Mark is a visionary musician who creates a beautiful form of contemporary chamber music. It will take you on a journey!”

    — Michael Manring

  • “A composer, modern fingerstyle guitarist, and leader of the dynamic ensemble MVI, Mark Vickness is a unique and prominent musical talent. With a rich background in jazz, classical, and various world music traditions, Mark’s journey through the musical landscape is nothing short of extraordinary.”

    — Broken 8 Records

  • “Mark crafts sonic tapestries that reflect not only his technical mastery but also an unwavering passion for pushing the boundaries of musical expression.”

    — Dulaxi

  • “You can hear all the love, all the passion, all his pure, unadulterated dedication to his musical cause free flowing within each and every chord.”

    — Anne Carlini

  • “Easily one of the best acoustic albums I’ve heard all year. Vickness’ skill is anything but ordinary.”

    — Andrew Sammjut, All About Jazz

  • “Vickness plays like it’s a calling and delights the hard core guitar fan with a ride of pure enjoyment. Killer stuff he makes sound all too easy.”

    — Chris Spector, Midwest Record