Mark Sganga

Years at Winfield: 

2009 International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion.

Mark Sganga has enthralled audiences from Stockholm to Kuala Lumpur to the Thredbo Jazz Festival in Australia. His dynamic playing has been featured on tours and recordings with Indian violin virtuoso Dr. L. Subramaniam, alongside Larry Coryell and Herbie Hancock. Back in NY, Mark has appeared at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, The Stone, S.O.B.’s and The Bitter End. He’s performed numerous times at Iridium, often as a guest of the legendary Les Paul.

Sganga has regularly participated in The Woodchoppers Ball (Kent Stage in Kent, OH). He is a repeat featured performer and a judge at The Indiana State Fingerstyle Guitar Competition. In a Santa Cruz, CA concert, Mark played opposite the legendary Taj Mahal. Mark Sganga and his Trio headlined at the Cape May Jazz Festival in New Jersey. He curated a Summer Concert Series at Torne Valley Vineyards where he led several all-star groups, including his trio, backing up 7 String Guitar Master, Bucky Pizzarelli.

Mark and his group support Bergen County’s food rescue charity “Table to Table” playing fundraisers at Alpine Country Club, Café Panache & other fine venues. Since 2013, Sganga has been a regular performer for Music That Heals, in collaboration with Hospital Audiences Inc., at NYC health care facilities including NYU Langone Medical Center & Calvary Hospital Hospice.

A lifelong music educator, Mark has led numerous Master classes and workshops in improvisation, harmony, Latin rhythms, arranging for solo guitar, etc. including Vance Music in Wichita, KS, The Indiana State Fingerstyle championship, and the Los Angeles Music Academy. Mark Sganga has co-led Master Classes for The Les Paul Tribute Festival at Ramapo College of New Jersey, where he is now an Adjunct Music Professor.

See in Walnut Valley Contest Winners: