Biography

Mark O'Connor, an American musician, was born on August 5, 1961, in Seattle, Washington. He is known for his skills in playing the violin, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin, with a focus on bluegrass, jazz, and country music. Not only is O'Connor a talented player, but he is also a composer and music teacher. Throughout his career, he has been recognized with numerous awards for his exceptional playing and composition. As a young musician, O'Connor won national championships in string instrument competitions, showcasing his virtuosity on the guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. He has been fortunate to learn from esteemed mentors such as Benny Thomasson, a Texas old-time fiddler who taught O'Connor as a teenager, the French jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli, whom O'Connor toured with in his early years, and the renowned guitarist Chet Atkins.