Tim Sparks

Tim Sparks has been redefining the acoustic guitar repertoire since he won the National Fingerpicking Championship in 1993 with a ground breaking arrangement of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. Sparks continues to surprise, challenge, and thrill audiences with his diverse repertoire and stunning technique. Equally at home with Country Blues, Jazz or World Music, Sparks' extraordinary ability has earned him an international reputation as one of the most innovative guitarists working today.

His wide travels inspired his interest in European and Mediterranean styles, particularly the music of the Balkans. Upon his return to Minnesota, Sparks immersed himself in the ethnic music scene, performing on Oud and Saz in Middle Eastern ensembles and playing guitar in Greek, Klezmer, and Sephardic groups. This work culminated in the recording of Sparks' Balkan Dreams Suite, a remarkable collection of odd-meter guitar arrangements.

In recent years, Sparks' musical focus has come full circle, returning to the country blues and classic jazz that served as a springboard for his worldwide guitar explorations.

Rooted in North American folk, blues, and jazz traditions, steel-string guitar virtuoso Tim Sparks has created a highly individual style by masterfully blending influences of classical and ethnic music into his playing.

Bill Frisell: “Every musician on the planet should hear this”

Leo Kottke: “He’s one of the best musicians I know”

Eliot Simon, All About Jazz New York: “An amazing technician with elements of guitarists Leo Kottke, John Fahey, Lenny Breau, Andres Segovia and Doc Watson, Sparks stands alone in his ability to arrange and abstract worldly elements into a cohesive guitar-based approach.”

More information on his website: www.timsparks.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TimSparksGuitarWorks

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/TCGUITAR