Tim Sparks has been redefining the acoustic guitar repertoire since he won the National Fingerpicking Championship in 1993 with a ground breaking arrangement of Tchaikovskys 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.
Trained by Segovia protege Jesus Silva, at the North Carolina School of the Arts, Sparks has continued to study classical music throughout his career. His adaptation of Tchaikovskys Nutcracker Suite has been cited as a significant contribution to solo guitar literature. For Sparks, it was a labor of love that earned him the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship in Winfield, Kansas in 1993.
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.
Sparks work came to the attention of John Zorn, the saxophonist, composer, and curator of Tzadik Records in New York, and thereby led to a new cycle of compositions inspired by traditional Jewish melodies. Neshamah (1999) is a solo effort; Tanz, (2000) which garnered Downbeat Magazines highest praise, five stars; and At the Rebbes Table (2002). In 2003, Tzadik released Masada Guitars, fea- turing interpretations of John Zorns music by Tim, Bill Frisell, and Marc Ribot.
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. He toured with Dolly Parton in 2005 and recorded Roots, Rags and Blues for Truefire Acoustic Guitar Workshop.
Sparks released Sidewalk Blues on the ToneWood label in February 2009 and recorded Little Princess, his fifth CD for Tzadik, in New York in 2009. Post-Modern Fingerstyle Guitar was released on Truefire in 2011. Sparks released Chasin the Boogie, his 10th acoustic guitar recording on May 30, 2014 followed by Jukebox Dreamin in December 2018.
Quotes
Seth Rogovy, Berkshire Jewish Voice
I mean it as the greatest of praise when I say that it doesnt even sound like guitar playing- Sparks is one of those rare players, like Bill Frisell, who transcends the inherited vocabulary of the instrument to create something other than guitar music with it something both simpler and more complex. In a word, music, and not just any music, but music of multi-dimensionality, music that shimmers and sustains and speaks directly to the soul of a listener.
Bill Frisell
Every musician on the planet should hear this.
Leo Kottke
You can hear Tim Sparks think. He plays by choice not habit: ideas not licks. Ive heard him do this on guitars so badly intonated, they wouldnt make a good ashtray; the same guitars I remember a piece called Blues on Bartok Street are guitars in Tims hands. Beautiful. Im Tim Sparks biggest fan. His stuff is very difficult to play but it doesnt sound difficult. I think thats real musicianship. Hes really 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.
Berlin Morning Post Sparks shows his tremendous versatility moving between jazz and the classics.
Guitar Player Magazine Fresh, exotic, and totally cool.
Acoustic Guitar Magazine Sparks musical goulash is spiced with Celtic, blues, and jazz flavors for a truly unique work. The effect is exotic, rich, and sensuous.
