MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected) was formed by Mark Vickness as a way to create music that reflects the reality of the interconnected world we live in. 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.
Along with Vickness’ steel string modern fingerstyle guitar parts, he created his dream ensemble, with the initial group consisting of Mads Tolling, violin; Joseph Hebert, cello; Dan Feiszli, bass and Ty Burhoe, tabla, before eventually adding the virtuoso wind player, Matt Renzi (playing oboe, English horn and saxophone) and the Grammy Award-winning percussionist, MB Gordy. 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, no musical culture or era that they cannot draw from. Vickness shares, “We have a classical trio (violin, cello, oboe), a jazz quartet, percussion instruments from almost every continent and culture, and virtuoso players capable of playing pretty much anything I put in front of them from funk to raga style improvisation, from interwoven counterpoint to rock power chords, from a fast Irish 12/8 romp to an ambient textural musical tapestry and more – they do it all with ease and with an infectious energy that is palpable on every track. I could not be more grateful to be able to work with these remarkable musicians!”
MVI’s latest release is the progressive instrumental acoustic fusion, “Mandolin Spring.” Delivering a joyous, propulsive piece, the single sees the addition of Mike Marshall, one of the most accomplished and versatile string instrumentalists in the world today and a three-time Grammy Nominee. A master of mandolin, guitar, mandocello, and violin, Marshall is a living compendium of musical styles and has created some of the most adventurous instrumental music in America today. Marshall seamlessly blends his American roots background with a deep understanding of European classical, Jazz, Pop, and Brazilian Music.
Speaking of the collaboration, Vickness shares, “Although I have spent a lifetime in the world of guitar, I have only recently gotten closer to the mandolin. I decided to seek out a mandolin player to collaborate on a piece for MVI and mandolin. We could not have been more fortunate to be able to work with Mike Marshall, one of the most revered and respected mandolin players on the planet! This is a true collaboration in that I came up with the basics for MVI and Mike contributed the entirety of the featured mandolin part. Such a joy to work with a musician/composer of his caliber and pedigree! He has recorded and toured with some of my most important influences including Michael Hedges, the father of modern fingerstyle guitar. I felt that connection recording this piece.”
“Mandolin Spring” is a playful sonic journey with its intricately woven melodies and colorful percussive lines, providing a testament to the seamless blend of Vickness’s visionary guitar work and Marshall’s exceptional mandolin prowess. When asked about the experience of collaborating with MVI, Mike Marshall added, “Mark and MVI are all wonderful, expressive pros. It was a joy to work with them on Mandolin Spring!”.
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