Biography
An American composer and instrumentalist in the new age genre, Mark Hofgard is recognized for creating music that emphasizes serenity, introspection, and ethereal dreaminess. His principal inspirations encompass George Winston, Liz Story, Paul Winter, and Suzanne Ciani, along with additional figures, while his performances on both acoustic piano and electric keyboards weave in subtle threads of smooth jazz and NAC, folk traditions, European classical forms, and Irish-Celtic elements, all within an overarching peaceful atmosphere. New age remains his central focus, however, with a spirituality shaped by his affinity for the natural world evident in pieces such as “River of Truth,” “Uncovering the Star,” “Sky Clad in the Sun,” and “Shaman’s Journey.” Raised in Colorado, where he received classical piano training during childhood, Hofgard performed with various local rock and jazz ensembles in his teenage years; his brother, Kurt Hofgard, is an acoustic guitarist. Rather than pursuing music professionally, he earned a law degree and worked as an attorney for roughly twenty-five years. He continued composing privately, and after relocating to the Rocky Mountain ski community of Estes Park, Colorado, he issued his first recording in 2003. Titled The Opening and appearing on his own imprint, Naked Expressions Music, the album featured entirely original compositions that Hofgard also produced in large part.
Albums
