Showing posts with label Mark Vickness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark Vickness. Show all posts

5/09/2023

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

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 Mark, “Most of the music on ‘In The Rain Shadow’ takes its inspiration from moving to the high desert (California’s Owens Valley) in late 2020. We live literally in the rain shadow, which is a meteorological term meaning on the sheltered side of a mountain range where there is less precipitation because of the wind patterns. Most of the titles on this recording are taken from geological or meteorological features we experience daily. Composed throughout the years of the pandemic, the compositions on this album are, in some sense, a musical response to the isolation we all experienced as a result of the pandemic. They are also intended to reflect a new appreciation for the opportunity to absorb the wonders of living in the rain shadow. It is humbling, awesome, peaceful, thrilling, tranquil and beautiful.”

Featuring:
Mads Tolling, violin; Matt Renzi, oboe/English horn/sax; Joseph Hebert, cello; Dan Feiszli, bass; Ty Burhoe, tabla; MB Gordy, percussion; Mark Vickness, guitar

Says Mark, “This is my dream ensemble. Each musician is an accomplished soloist adept at many different types of music. They all bring an astounding breadth and depth of musical understanding and experience. There is almost no style of music we cannot draw from. From a classical trio to a jazz quartet, from funk to raga style improvisation, from interwoven counterpoint to rock power chords, from a fast Irish 12/8 romp to an ambient textural tapestry and more – these virtuoso players bring an infectious energy that is palpable on every track.”

Track list:
1. High Desert
2. The Gorge
3. Alluvial Fans
4. Stillness (for Will)
5. Roadrunner
6. Rupak (for Ty)
7. Cloud Shadows
8. On the Cliffs of Mohr
9. In The Rain Shadow

RELEASE DATE: May 15, 2023

In The Rain Shadow” – Album Credits:
All compositions by Mark Vickness. Co-produced by Mark Vickness and Dan Feiszli. “In The Rain Shadow” was recorded, engineered and mixed by Dan Feiszli at his studio in El Cerrito, CA and at 25th Street Recording in Oakland, CA. It was mastered by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering in Portland, ME. Video by Maximum Flavor Media, San Francisco, CA. Album cover painting by Brian Judd. CD design by Sara Glaser.

Setting the tone with intricately plucked guitar, and layered violin and oboe, as the composition expands with cello, bass and rippling tabla, we are totally hypnotized by Alluvial Fans. The brainchild of composer Mark Vickness, who also plays guitar on the dimensional track, Alluvial Fans is a transcendental piece that fuses cultures, rhythms and soundscapes from all over the planet. The composition amps up a third of the way through, generating a playful energy juxtaposed to the more immersive start. We love the return of the tabla as it ripples through the song bridging the production and adding cerebral dimensionality. There is an epic bass solo riff from Dan Feiszli two-thirds of the way through the track that truly has us in awe. We can definitely see the composition as the score to a great cinematic movie, and have been exploring the imaginative mind of Mark Vickness further by listening to his album, ‘Interconnected.’” - Karlismyunckle.com

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.” - Pat Moran, Acoustic Guitar (on Places)

“’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.” - Vintage Guitar Magazine

Mark Vickness has created something so special and timely. It’s such a hopeful album, packed with artistry and stirring, deeply personal pieces. “Interconnected” is not only the title of the album but the driving force it seems, the purpose and the reason. What better way to perform songs full of power and whimsy, melancholy and heart than with a real sense of togetherness. I love this album! A breath of desperately needed grace and sweetness . . . with a perfect balance of skill and passion . . . glorious harmony of guitar, cello, viola, bass and tabla. Brilliant!” - Samantha Simmonds-Romceros – NoHoArtsDistrict.com.

“In The Rain Shadow” is scheduled for release in May, 2023. The group is looking forward to touring in support of the new album release.

To purchase:
“In The Rain Shadow” will be available on Spotify, Apple Music and all streaming platforms. CDs will be available at www.cdbaby.com.

For more information:
Website: MARKVICKNESS.COM
Facebook: facebook.com/mark.vickness
YouTube: youtube.com/@markvickness3641

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

No AI was used in the composition, recording or production of this music.

4/21/2022

Composer/Acoustic Guitar Fingerstyle Virtuoso Mark Vickness Releases 'Alluvial Fans' On YouTube

Mark Vickness, acoustic guitar featuring Mads Tolling, violin; Matt Renzi, oboe/English horn, Joseph Hebert, cello; Dan Feiszli, bass, MB Gordy, percussion & Ty Burhoe, tabla

Two years after releasing his highly acclaimed CD, Interconnected, composer/guitarist Mark Vickness releases Alluvial Fans on YouTube, the first composition to be released from his upcoming album, In The Rain Shadow. In addition to Mark on acoustic guitars, the ensemble brings together two time Grammy winning violinist, Mads Tolling, oboe and English horn virtuoso, Matt Renzi, cellist Joseph Hebert, Dan Feiszli on electric bass, Grammy winning percussionist, MB Gordy and tabla master, Ty Burhoe.

Says Mark, “My third solo recording project (after Places in 2017 and Interconnected in 2020) In The Rain Shadow takes its inspiration mostly from moving to the high desert (California’s Owens Valley) in 2020. Most of the titles are taken from geological or meteorological features we experience daily. This includes Alluvial Fans – music intended to reflect my appreciation for the opportunity to absorb the wonders of living in the rain shadow. It is humbling, awesome, peaceful, thrilling, tranquil and beautiful all at once.”


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 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. Most recently he has been touring with Bob Weir and the Wolf Pack.


Matt Renzi

Matt has been a sought after wind player (oboe, English horn, saxophone) and composer in the U.S. and internationally for the past twenty years as a soloist and the The Matt Renzi Trio. He holds a Bachelor’s in Music/Performance from the Berklee College of Music and a Master of Arts in Classical Composition from San Francisco State University. Matt has performed and recorded with Marc Johnson, Michael Formanek, Eddie Marshall, Herbie Lewis, Ben Monder, Eberheard Weber, and Bobo Stenson.


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.


MB Gordy

One of the top studio session players in Los Angeles, Grammy-winning percussionist, MB Gordy has recorded on releases by artists such as Neil Diamond, Aaron Neville, Faith Hill, f.u.n., Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Josh Groban, Guns and Roses, Childish Gambino, and Beck as well as on hundreds of film and television scores (including Agent Carter, American Sniper, Battlestar Galactica, Bourne Legacy, Frozen, Game of Thrones, Spiderman, Straight Outta Compton, Terminator, and many more). MB has toured internationally with Rita Coolidge, Three Dog Night, the Doobie Brothers, John Tesh, and Josh Groban, and performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, The National Symphony, Frank Zappa, Jacky Evanho, Andrea Bocelli, Johnny Mathis, Yoko Ono, Seal, and Idina Menzel. Having earned his Master’s Degree in Music from the California Institute of the Arts with extensive study in ethnic percussion, over the last three decades he has worked in a wide variety of roles as performer, composer, professor, and recording musician.

Alluvial Fans was recorded, engineered and mixed by Dan Feiszli at his studio in El Cerrito, CA and at 25th Street Recording in Oakland, CA. It was mastered by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering, Burbank, CA. Video by Maximum Flavor Media, San Francisco, CA.

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

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.” - Pat Moran, Acoustic Guitar (on Places)

“’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.” - Vintage Guitar Magazine

Mark Vickness has created something so special and timely. It’s such a hopeful album, packed with artistry and stirring, deeply personal pieces. “Interconnected” is not only the title of the album but the driving force it seems, the purpose and the reason. What better way to perform songs full of power and whimsy, melancholy and heart than with a real sense of togetherness. I love this album! A breath of desperately needed grace and sweetness . . . with a perfect balance of skill and passion . . . glorious harmony of guitar, cello, viola, bass and tabla. Brilliant!” Samantha Simmonds-Romceros – NoHoArtsDistrict.com.

In The Rain Shadow is scheduled for release Winter, 2022. The group is looking forward to touring in support of the new album release.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/b9b3xwYvrjo

For more information:
Website: MARKVICKNESS.COM
Facebook: facebook.com/mark.vickness

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

9/16/2020

Acoustic Guitar Virtuoso Mark Vickness To Release Second Album 'Interconnected'


Mark Vickness, acoustic guitars with Mads Tolling, violin; Joseph Hebert, cello; Dan Feiszli, bass & Ty Burhoe, tabla

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 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.”



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.

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

“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.” - Pat Moran, Acoustic Guitar (on Places)

“’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.” - Vintage Guitar Magazine

Interconnected is scheduled for release on September 15th, 2020. The group is looking forward to touring as soon as it is safe to do so. In the interim, Mark is compiling material for a third solo CD.

To purchase: markvickness.hearnow.com

For more information:
Website: MARKVICKNESS.COM
Facebook: facebook.com/mark.vickness

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

10/13/2017

Guitarist Mark Vickness To Release Debut Solo Album "Places" Inspired by Experiences Traveling America


Oakland, CA - After years as the driving instrumental force behind the guitar/vocal duo, Glass House, guitarist Mark Vickness releases his first solo CD inspired by experiences traveling throughout the US.

“Places” is a modern fingerstyle solo acoustic guitar CD featuring eight original compositions and an arrangement of the spiritual, “I Must Tell Jesus,” which Mark recorded in memoriam to the woman who raised him who died in 2015 at the age of 99.

Says Mark, “Although the music on this CD is inspired by places I have been, it's also about the personal journey of delving into modern fingerstyle guitar in writing and recording these pieces.”

Along the way, Mark enlisted the talents of his wife, Jennifer and his two children, Lucy and Will, to make this a family-inclusive project. Both Jennifer and Will contribute photos to the twelve page color booklet included with the CD. Lucy, who was recently named the Youth Poet Laureate of Oakland, offers one of her poems to accompany the arrangement of “I Must Tell Jesus.”

The places and experiences that inspired these pieces include Thousand Islands Lake in the High Sierra Mountains of California (A Thousand Islands) where Mark got engaged, the Wind River Range in Wyoming where Mark had many tranformative first experiences, Prince William Sound in Alaska, New York City and Hawaii where he had a magical ocean encounter with manta rays (Flight of the Rays).

“Mark Vickness dazzles on his 8 string guitar/bass.” - Tom Semioli, Minor 7th

Modern Fingerstyle Guitar is a genre that traces its roots back to a few early proponents, most notably Michael Hedges. The idea was to expand the musical vocabulary for the steel string acoustic guitar by employing percussive techniques, broader use of harmonics, unique tunings and better ways of amplifying the acoustic guitar to produce a richer, more layered, orchestral sound. That initial idea continues to motivate players to come up with new ways to push the envelope including the use of various effects and looping. Mark employs all of these techniques in these compositions.

Says Mark, “The only rules I set for this CD were that all the pieces be played on a steel string acoustic guitar and that I be able to perform them live as a soloist. I only broke the rules a few times. Because I come from a background as a composer, my focus was on the compositions themselves rather than on any particular fingerstyle technique.”

In addition to writing and performing these pieces on guitar, Mark reached back to his love of composing for string quartet for the coda of the “Wonder Lake Suite.” He also performs the tabla part on “Flight of the Rays.”

“Places” was recorded, engineered and mixed by Dan Feiszli at his studio in El Cerrito, CA and at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, CA. The string quartet coda on Wonder Lake Suite was performed by two-time grammy award winning violinist/violist Mads Tolling and cellist Joseph Hebert. The CD was mastered by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering, Burbank, CA. The CD artwork was designed by Teo Mok.

Mark plays a Michael Greenfield G4 fan fret, a Greenfield baritone guitar, a Matt Mustapick custom designed eight string and an Ovation Celebrity Deluxe Double Neck acoustic guitar.

In addition to the video of “I Must Tell Jesus” (https://youtu.be/2N7BU1FVZG8), Mark will be recording several more solo guitar videos in the coming months as well as performing both as a solo guitarist and with Glass House. Glass House is currently in production for its next EP.

To purchase Mark Vickness's “Places”: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/markvickness

For more information:
Website: markvickness.com
Facebook: facebook.com/mark.vickness

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com