D. J. Sparr

D. J. Sparr, who Gramophone recently hailed as “exemplary,” is one of America’s preeminent composer-performers. He has caught the attention of critics with his eclectic style, described as “pop-Romantic … iridescent and wondrous” (The Mercury News) and “suits the boundary erasing spirit of today’s new-music world” (New York Times). The Los Angeles Times praises him as “an excellent soloist,” and the Santa Cruz Sentinel says that he “wowed an enthusiastic audience … Sparr’s guitar sang in a near-human voice.” In 2011, NPR named Sparr one of their Music listeners’ “favorite composers under 40.”

Sparr has composed for and performed with renowned ensembles such as the London Symphony, Cabrillo Festival, New World Symphony, Washington National Opera, and Eighth Blackbird. His music has received awards from BMI, New Music USA, and the League of Composers/ISCM. Sparr is a faculty member at the Walden School’s famed Creative Musicians Retreat in Dublin, New Hampshire. Sparr has recently been featured on the Grammy-Award winning all-Kenneth Fuchs recording as the electric guitar soloist. Additionally, his new album, Electric Bands, featuring some of his latest chamber works, is now available through Innova Recordings. He lives in the mystical high plains of the Wild West with his wife Kimberly, son Harris, Nannette the hound dog, and Bundini the boxer puppy. D. J. Sparr’s music is published by Bill Holab Music.