Mark is one the most innovative and distinctive electric guitarists today. His improvisation is captivating, inventive, and melodically uplifting. His guitar playing is influenced by jazz musicians such as Miles Davis and John Coltrane as well as rockers such as Jeff Beck or Jimi Hendrix. Mark’s music is also heavily influenced by Indian, Japanese, and African music. These influences are seamlessly incorporated into Mark’s unique musical voice, blending jazz and western classical music. He collaborated with Samia Afra from Lebanon on his album Fallen Cities. He also continued his interest non-western forms by performing and working with musicians like Gokhan Ozyavuz, an Istanbul musician, and KT Lumpa, a Zambian musician. Mark’s interest was piqued when he was invited to join ResRocket. This band consists of respected musicians from all over the globe who play together via the internet using groundbreaking software. Mark was a core ResRocket member and played with luminaries such as Tricky, Matt Black (Dave Stewart), and Todd Rundgren. The band also recorded an album and toured the world, including London, Paris, LA (Oslo), Oslo, and other cities. Some members performed live on stage, while others were projected onto giant screens. Nearly every aspect of the band was “world-first”, truly groundbreaking on every level. Mark is a jazz guitarist who has performed extensively in Europe. His fifth CD Guitar Encryptions, which was released on Dark Energy Muisc’s label, has been available for download via Napster, iTunes and Rhapsody. Composition His compositions were featured at Goldsmiths College London’s Contemporary Music Department opening lecture. They also appeared in workshops and lectures at Trinity College of Music London and Dartington College of Arts. His work is receiving increasing attention, which has resulted in commissions for SPNM’s Sound Source, BMIC’s Cutting Edge Series and SPNM’s Sound Source. Jane Chapman, Elaine Funaro and Geoffrey Burgess were also awarded commissions. Mark quickly established himself as a unique composer voice in the U.K. Mark teaches guitar master classes and workshops at various locations in the UK using his unique teaching methods. Recently, Mark gave a workshop at Trinity College of Music in London and co-authored a lecture for Goldsmiths College London. Aric Rubin, a writer for Guitar Player Magazine’s Master Series, has given Has high praises. Jon Finn (Senior guitarist instructor at Berklee School of Music Boston U.S.A) and many students of his acclaimed workshops. History Mark spent his musical youth moving back and forth between England and America, performing with bands in London, Bristol, and Boston. He soon discovered jazz and moved to Europe, where he became a composer and performer with the jazz groups Scapetrace and SMQ. Mark spent his time touring Europe with his group and also studied western and non-western classical forms. He developed a deep interest in Indian, African, and Japanese music. Mark splits his time now between his band, The Mark Wingfield Group, and his work as a contemporary composer in England.
