Mark Vickness – Interconnected

A totally unique artistic vision, Mark Vickness Interconnected approach musical creation as a solemn opportunity to express the interconnectedness of humanity, and of all things, through the universal language of music.

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.

Together these musicians express a fiery, original vision of Instrumental Acoustic Fusion music. About the unique musical approach, Mark says “The ensemble is a perfect vehicle for connecting different styles, eras and cultures.”

The material on Interconnected was born of deep reflection on the inner workings of life; childhood traumas, modern struggle, simple joys, profound sadness, lived wisdom and the joy of awareness. Interconnected is due for digital release 09/15/20.

Quote From the Artist: “The music on this recording is intended to convey interconnectedness, the reality that we live in an interconnected, interdependent world, that we are all one human race. Instrumental music is an ideal means of expressing this because it is a universal language. This ensemble is comprised of musicians who are capable of a wide range of styles from different cultures and different eras. I worked hard to write this music with interconnectedness in mind, within each piece individually and in the relationships between the pieces themselves. Some of the pieces on Interconnected come from a deeply personal place. For Every Child was written for every person who has either experienced or known someone who has gone through the trauma of losing their innocence to childhood sexual abuse as I did before age ten. One Day Over A Thousand is dedicated to all those who lost their lives to Covid-19, and to my dear friend Holli Ross, who died while this piece was being written.” 

In Review: Interconnected is a wonderfully rich combination of Free-form Jazz, Classical Guitar, New Age / Folk inspired and modern compositional music, it has a flow and ambient tranquility to it, yet is subtly energized with anticipation of the next note. The music has a “Kinetic Energy” to it, as it moves forward, it builds up, and continues on it’s own perpetual motion, and long after the last note is played, it continues to pay in the mind, permanently imprinting itself, masterful work that is for the present and future generations of music lovers everywhere.

Interconnected was recorded, engineered and mixed by Dan Feiszli at his studio in El Cerrito, CA and at 25^th Street Recording in Oakland, CA. The CD was mastered by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering, Burbank, CA. The CD cover art and design was done by Mateo Mok.
Mark is endorsed by Greenfield Guitars, Montreal. He plays a Michael Greenfield G4 fan fret and a Greenfield G2B baritone guitar.

Pat Moran from Acoustic Guitar has said: “The fingerstylist makes the most of this opportunity to showcase the limitless sounds and textures that can be achieved primarily with his custom Michael Greenfield steel-string guitars.” 

Vintage Guitar has said about this project:
“Vickness’ acoustic compositions allow him to use his wonderful technique to convey atmospheric, emotional music that immediately draws attention. His stunning harmonics, perfect chord changes and ability to use the guitar as a percussion instrument are an amazing blend.”

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About the Artists involved in this masterpiece of music…

Mark Vickness – Mark 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 three decades of recording and performing as the instrumental half of the acoustic fusion duo, Glass House which has released three CD’s, two EPs and a host of widely viewed YouTube videos. Mark’s performing experience spans a huge range of genres from free improv 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, legendary bassist, Michael Manring, and guitarists Alex DiGrassi and Don Ross.

Mads Tolling – An internationally renowned violinist and composer, Mads is a two-time Grammy Award- Winner and the 2016 DownBeat Critics Poll Rising Star winning violinist. As a former nine year member of both Turtle Island Quartet and bassist Stanley Clarke’s band, Mads has spent most of his professional life touring internationally. Mads has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition and his recordings have received rave reviews in Downbeat Magazine, Strings Magazine, The Washington Post and the San Francisco Chronicle. He has performed with The Who, Chick Corea, Ramsey Lewis, Paquito D’Rivera and many others.

Joseph Hebert – Joe has recorded and performed across multiple genres with hundreds of artists including Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power and Ray Charles. He is Assistant Principal cellist with the Oakland East Bay Symphony. The Oakland Tribune describes him as “one of the most eloquently expressive cellists in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Dan Feiszli – Dan has performed with such notable artists as James Moody, Raul Midon, and Mickey Hart. He has toured nationally and internationally with artists including Julio Iglesias, Nicole Yarling and Raul DiBlasio, and played in the pit orchestras for musical theatre productions including Hamilton, The Lion King and Billy Elliot. In addition to his career as a performer, Dan is featured on hundreds of recordings as both a bassist and recording engineer, and has recorded and mixed albums reaching the highest positions on the US Top 40 and Jazz Radio Charts. Dan’s work with Mark dates back years as both a bassist performing with Glass House and recording engineer for Places and Interconnected.

Ty Burhoe – A disciple of the great tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ty is internationally recognized for being instrumental in creating unique collaborations that weave tabla with other world traditions. He has been featured on many soundtracks including the academy award winning documentary, “Born into Brothels.” Ty has recorded and performed with a broad range of artists including Zakir Hussain, Art Lande, Bela Fleck, Walter Becker (Steely Dan), Mamadou Diabate, Kitaro, Jon Anderson (Yes) and many more. Ty’s collaboration with Mark dates back to early recordings with Glass House.

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Interconnected was recorded, engineered and mixed by Dan Feiszli at his studio in El Cerrito, CA and at 25^th Street Recording in Oakland, CA.

The CD was mastered by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering, Burbank, CA.

The CD cover art and design was done by Mateo Mok.

Mark is endorsed by Greenfield Guitars, Montreal. He plays a Michael Greenfield G4 fan fret and a Greenfield G2B baritone guitar.

Official Website: markvickness.com
Facebook: facebook.com/mark.vickness
Youtube Channel: Mark Vickness

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