Sean Harkness

Outstanding Collaboration—String Theory

Sean Harkness left Burlington, VT, in 1994 to immerse himself in NYC’s music scene. Now a first-call guitarist whose talents complement those of an international client list. Harkness is a solo artist, music director, and sideman known for intimate settings with singers from stage and screen. Within six months of getting his first guitar at age 11, he had a weekly theatre engagement in Bridgeport, CT. After high school bands and studies with Brian Keane and Sal Salvador (Stan Kenton Band), Harkness studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Then, after a year of busking the streets of Europe, he moved to Vermont where, for five years, he worked in the shop, assisting master guitar builder Chip Wilson. Studies with T.O. Mann helped him develop a signature touch on the instrument that caught the ears of Windham Hill Records (Sony/RCA/BMG) and other producers. Now calling NYC home, Harkness has earned many awards, including two previous Bistro Awards, four BroadwayWorld.com Awards, and nine MAC Awards. Sean represents Walden Guitars, DR Handmade Strings, Fishman Pickups, and Graph Tech hardware.