He is also a prolific sideman and session guitarist, having performed with John Mayer, Patti LaBelle, Chris Martin, Paul Simon, Corinne Bailey Rae, Mike Posner, Keith Urban, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men, and Lalah Hathaway, among others.

[5] He credits his father, uncles, and older siblings for introducing him to gospel, R&B, blues, jazz, funk, and rock.

[4][5] By age 14, he was playing in local jazz and blues clubs around Chicago, including the Velvet Lounge, which was owned by Fred Anderson.

[6] With his father and older brothers, he recorded his first album Skyliner, a collection of jazz standard covers, which he released in 2005.

[4][7] Sharkey became one of D'Angelo's core collaborators, along with Pino Palladino, Questlove, Chris Dave, and Roy Hargrove.

"[7] His success with D'Angelo brought him opportunities as a sideman and session musician for other artists, including Paul Simon, Chris Martin, Patti LaBelle, and Keith Urban.