Truth In Shredding

Robin Gadermeier, Rafael Trujillo, Aaron Thier: Nostradamus Kaukasus #2

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 23:12:20 GMT

Rafael Trujillo

Austrian Virtuoso Guitarist, Modern Fusion Innovator & Progressive Metal Visionary

Biography & Overview

Born in 1992 in Austria, Rafael Trujillo is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, composer, educator, and producer. Beginning classical guitar studies in early childhood, he broadened his palette to electric guitar, heavy rock, and modern jazz, culminating in formal jazz and popular music studies at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna (MUK).

Trujillo gained worldwide prominence in 2015 when he joined German technical death metal heavyweights Obscura, contributing intricate neoclassical soloing and complex rhythmic counterpoint to their landmark albums Akroasis (2016) and Diluvium (2018). In 2020, following creative differences with Obscura's leadership, Trujillo departed alongside bandmates Steffen Kummerer (drums), Linus Klausenitzer (bass), and Christian Münzner to co-found progressive metal supergroup Obsidious. Balancing technical metal with deep harmonic jazz-fusion vocabulary, he is also an established masterclass clinician for JTC Guitar and an active solo composer.

Musical Instrumentation & Technical Signature

Advanced Harmonic Integration & Jazz Fusion Phrasing: Seamlessly incorporates exotic scales, diminished and altered dominant runs, chromatic enclosures, and sophisticated voice leading over complex polyrhythmic metal backing tracks.
Hybrid Picking & Fluid Legato Mechanics: Renowned for exceptionally smooth, low-effort left-hand legato stretches combined with pick-and-finger hybrid picking, allowing fluid intervallic leaps across string sets without percussive pick noise.
Two-Handed Fretboard Tapping & Sweeping: Executes multi-finger polyphonic tapping and multi-octave sweep arpeggios that mirror piano and violin classical literature, creating expansive modern textures.
Signature Gear & Endorsements: Prominent artist for Strandberg Guitars (frequently showcasing headless 6- and 7-string Boden models), Ibanez Guitars, and digital modeling setups (Neural DSP, Kemper).

Band History & Key Collaborations

Obsidious (2020–present): Co-founder, lead guitarist, and primary composer alongside Linus Klausenitzer, Sebastian Lanser, and vocalist Javi Perera. The band blends technical metal, groove rock, and extreme metal with clean melodic hooks.
Obscura (2015–2020): Lead guitarist across major international tours and two cornerstone albums in the band's conceptual four-album cycle, delivering celebrated solos on tracks like "The Monist" and "Mortification of the Vulgar Sun."
JTC Guitar (Jam Track Central) & Educational Projects: A prominent contributor to JTC Guitar's artist roster, releasing acclaimed masterclass packages focusing on modal improvisation, odd-meter phrasing, and hybrid picking workouts.
Solo & Session Ventures: Releases independent jazz-fusion and instrumental progressive singles, performing as a guest soloist across global metal and fusion releases.

Selected Discography & Key Releases

With Obsidious

Iconic (2022): The critically acclaimed debut full-length album on Season of Mist, featuring virtuosic cuts like "Under Black Skies," "Sense of Lust," "Bound by Autopsy," and "Deviance."

With Obscura

Akróasis (2016): His debut studio outing with the band on Relapse Records, praised for its technical dexterity and intricate interplay on songs like "Ten Sepiroth" and "Weltseele."
Diluvium (2018): A technical death metal triumph concluding the band's four-album concept series, spotlighting Trujillo's neoclassical lead compositions and flamenco/acoustic interludes.

Instructional & Solo Works

JTC Masterclasses: Hybrid Picking & Modern Fusion Phrasing: Comprehensive video masterclasses and backing tracks highlighting his melodic approaches, intervallic structures, and picking mechanics.

Nostradamus Kaukasus #2 by Robin Gadermeier

Guitar: Rafael Trujillo
⁠Bass: Robin Gadermeier⁠
⁠Drums: Aaron Thier
Composition: Robin Gadermeier
⁠Mix: Aaron Thier
⁠Mastering: Ingmar Versolmann

Nostradamus Kaukasus #2 - Robin Gadermeier, Rafael Trujillo, Aaron Thier

Evlee: Simon Eichinger - Cherry Cigarettes

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 23:07:33 GMT

Evlee (李静雯 / Li Jingwen)

Chinese Virtuoso Guitarist, Technical Shredder & Modern Neoclassical Sensation

Biography & Overview

Born February 24, 2009, in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China, Evlee (Li Jingwen / 李静雯) is an electric guitar prodigy and instrumentalist who has emerged as a leading figure in the new wave of technical Asian shred guitarists. Picking up the instrument at a young age, she mastered some of the most technically demanding repertoires in instrumental rock and neoclassical metal within just a few years.

Gaining widespread international viral acclaim through high-precision performance showcases on YouTube and Bilibili, Evlee built a reputation for flawless note clarity and effortless speed across pieces by Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, DragonForce, and Igor Paspalj. Her precocious talent led to high-profile industry bookings, including clinics and headline product demonstrations at Music Guangzhou and Music China (Shanghai), performance at the Warm Winter Music Festival, and a featured live broadcast performance on China's CCTV Music Channel.

Musical Instrumentation & Technical Signature

Neoclassical Alternate Picking & Speed: Distinguished by laser-accurate picking mechanics, executing rapid scalar runs, pedal-point sequences, and high-velocity arpeggios with zero friction and exceptional dynamic clarity.
Whammy Bar & Tremolo Articulation: Demonstrates fluid, expressive tremolo control, utilizing wide dive-bombs, flutter vibrato, and microtonal phrasing reminiscent of Steve Vai.
Complex Sweeping & Finger Synchronization: Effortless multi-octave sweep arpeggios, wide-stretch fretboard reach, and smooth legato transitions executed with relaxed posture and commanding technique.
Endorsements & Gear: Official artist for NUX Audio, frequently demonstrating digital modeling amplifiers, multi-effects units, and high-performance superstrat electric guitars.

Projects & Collaborations

Solo Instrumental Artist: Operates primarily as a solo instrumental virtuoso and demo artist, composing original works while producing online guitar performance content.
Industry Demonstrator & Clinic Performer: Featured clinic and showcase performer across international music expos including Music China in Shanghai and Music Guangzhou, collaborating with guitar manufacturers and audio brands.

Original Works & Landmark Showcases

Original Compositions

"Crack Of Dawn" (Original Instrumental Single): Her signature original composition showcasing melodic songwriting, high-gain phrasing, and blistering neoclassical solo passages.
"Fire + Ice" (Original / Showcase Single): An instrumental guitar showcase highlighting fast alternate picking runs, melodic chord progressions, and modern heavy rock tones.

Notable Virtuoso Repertoire & Performances

"Far Beyond The Sun" (Yngwie Malmsteen): A viral showcase highlighting neoclassical harmonic minor runs, sweeping, and lightning-fast pedal tones.
"Bad Horsie" (Steve Vai): A dynamic cover demonstrating aggressive wah-pedal control, slide maneuvers, and drop-D whammy antics.
"Through the Fire and Flames" (DragonForce): A technical endurance feat performed at age 12, featuring relentless 200+ BPM speed and twin-lead arpeggio sequences.
"80's Style Improvisation" (Igor Paspalj): A virtuoso melodic cover of JTC artist and Guitar World Electric Guitarist of the Year Igor Paspalj's signature phrasing.

A few edits on this video
Simon Eichinger - Cherry Cigarettes - Cover by Evlee

Haruka Noma: ASTERISM(아스테리즘) Live in Korea

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 22:49:13 GMT

ASTERISM (アステリズム)

"Mass Metal" Power Trio – Neoclassical Virtuosity, Math-Metal Precision & Instrumental Power

Biography & Band History

Formed in Fukuoka, Japan, in 2014, ASTERISM is a three-piece heavy metal and progressive instrumental power trio composed of guitarist HAL-CA and brothers MIYU (bass) and MIO (drums). Meeting as early adolescents at a Yamaha-sponsored music competition, the prodigy trio bonded over their shared obsession with complex hard rock, classic heavy metal, and technical virtuosity.

Their viral performance videos quickly attracted international attention from rock icons, including funk legend Bootsy Collins (who produced two tracks on their debut studio album) and former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman. Touring internationally while still teenagers across the United States (including SXSW), China, Thailand, and South Korea, ASTERISM coined their defining aesthetic genre as "Mass Metal"—intricately calculated, virtuosic metal arranged with infectious pop sensibility designed to resonate with broad audiences. Following an acclaimed indie period and relocation to Tokyo, the band signed with SME Records (Sony Music Entertainment Japan) in 2023, performing high-profile festival slots such as Knotfest Japan and FOX_FEST while integrating lead and chorus vocals alongside their blistering instrumental attack.

Band Members & Instrumental Mastery

HAL-CA (ハルカ) – Lead Guitar & Vocals: Picking up the guitar at age 10, HAL-CA is celebrated as one of Japan's premier modern virtuosos. Known for playing customized ESP and killer high-gain rigs, she executes high-speed alternate picking, sweep-picked arpeggios, wide-interval tapping, and neoclassical counterpoint with surgical precision and commanding stage presence. In recent releases, she also handles powerful lead rock vocals.
MIYU (ミユ) – Bass & Backing Vocals: Beginning bass at age 7, MIYU provides a ferocious, percussive low end inspired by bass titans like Billy Sheehan. Utilizing extended-range 6-string and 7-string electric basses, he specializes in high-velocity three-finger galloping, polyphonic two-handed fretboard tapping, and aggressive slap-and-pop techniques that function as a second lead voice.
MIO (ミオ) – Drums & Backing Vocals: Starting behind the drum kit at age 5, MIO acts as the rhythmic anchor and dynamic engine of the trio. His playing features relentless double-bass stamina, odd-time signature shifts, math-metal polyrhythms, and crisp, lightning-fast snare flurries.

Band Profile & Sonic Identity

Origin: Fukuoka / Saga, Japan
Label Affiliations: Tokuma Japan Communications (Early EPs/Album), Amuse Inc., SME Records / Sony Music Labels (2023–present)
Genre & Musical Concept: Mass Metal, Progressive Metal, Math Rock, Instrumental Shred, and Neoclassical Heavy Metal.
Thematic Meaning: The name ASTERISM refers to an identifiable constellation or grouping of stars; each member shines brightly as an individual soloist, but together they form a brighter, unified whole.

Selected Discography & Key Releases

Full-Length Studio Albums

IGNITION (2018): Their full-length studio debut on Tokuma Japan, featuring original compositions like "Light in the Darkness" alongside collaborative cuts produced by Bootsy Collins ("Blaze" and "MIDNIGHT MOVER").
GUERNICA+a (2021): A mature, aggressive progressive metal outing exploring dark thematic motifs, complex meter changes, and heavy guitar riffs on tracks like "000" and "Gun Burst".
Animetic (2022): A conceptual metal cover album reinterpreting iconic anime opening themes into virtuosic, high-speed math-metal arrangements, including covers of "Unravel" (Tokyo Ghoul), "Kyouran Hey Kids!!" (Noragami Aragoto), and "Silhouette" (Naruto Shippuden).
PLANET OF METAL (2024): A landmark concept studio album exploring dystopian science-fiction storylines, blending their signature instrumental shred with expanded vocal hooks, complex synthesizers, and heavy modern groove.

EPs & Mini-Albums

The Session Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 (2017–2018): Breakout early EPs showcasing high-velocity instrumental performances and covers of hard rock staples by Ozzy Osbourne, Rush, and Metallica.
GUERNICA (2020): A conceptual mini-album that served as the stylistic foundation for their subsequent GUERNICA+a expansion.
ASIDE & BESIDE (2023): Companion EPs released in conjunction with their Sony Music debut, featuring driving vocal tracks like "Hullabaloo" and "Finally".

Notable Collaborative Tracks

"GYUTTO!!" (feat. Marty Friedman) (2023): A blazing guitar trade-off single and THE FIRST TAKE appearance pairing HAL-CA's fretwork with former Megadeth virtuoso Marty Friedman.
"Ichizu / unravel" (feat. PelleK) (2022): A digital collaboration featuring Norwegian rock and anime vocalist PelleK over ASTERISM's high-speed metal arrangements.

ASTERISM LIVE IN KOREA (2026.09.06.SUN. PARADISE CITY, SOUND PLANET 2026)

#Asterism #asterism #SoundPlanet2026 #SOUNDPLANET2026
----------- Event Name: Sound Planet 2026 Filming Date: 2026.09.06 (Sun) Location: Paradise City Filming, Editing: SOMA51 Filming Equipment: Apple iPhone 16 PRO Max Video Format: 1080P 30fps HD Recording: Built-in Microphone ------------- Setlist
Intro (0:00)
1. STARS (01:03)
2. Blink of Ray (04:58)
3. BLACK CLOUDS (10:01)
4. SEX JAZZ (14:44)
MC (18:30)
5. Hakanai ( 19:30 ) 6. MY WAY ( 23:32 )
MC (27:56)
7. BLAZE (28:13)
8. What's My Life? (33:11)

ASTERISM(아스테리즘) LIVE IN KOREA(2026.09.06.SUN. PARADISE CITY, SOUND PLANET 2026)

Daniela Villarreal: The Warning guitarist shows off her axes!

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 22:35:45 GMT

The Warning's Daniela "Dany" Villarreal Vélez shows off the guitars she can't tour without. She talks through her beloved PRS guitars and why they're so reliable on the road, the LED mods that help her see during blackouts and look great on stage, and the PRS Orianthi handed her after they played together at NAMM. Dany also reveals her custom Fender baritone, built for the band's new album and designed to be as loud as possible.
0:00 – Introduction & Main PRS Setup
1:11 – Custom LED Fret Markers
1:59 – Kemper Profiler & Amp Setup
2:33 – PRS Gifted by Orianthi
3:34 – Custom Fender Baritone Guitar
5:06 – Outro &
Wrap Up The Warning guitarist Daniela "Dany" Villarreal Vélez shows off her axes!

Astryx Limited Edition | Dany Villarreal Signature | PRS Guitars

Igor Paspalj: ENYA Inspire PRO signature presets

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 22:04:41 GMT

Igor Paspalj

Award-Winning Virtuoso Shredder, JTC Educator & Master of Harmony

Biography & Career

Born in 1981 in Zagreb and raised in Banja Luka, Igor Paspalj is a Bosnian-Croatian guitarist, composer, academic educator, and session musician. Recognized as a prodigy in music theory and classical composition, he completed a four-year curriculum at the Academy of Arts in Banja Luka in just three years with the highest average marks in the institution's history, later obtaining a Master's degree in Music Theory and Harmony with Analysis.

Combining rigorous academic training with a deep obsession for 1980s and 1990s instrumental rock virtuosos, Paspalj became an international sensation when he was named "Electric Guitarist of the Year 2020" by Guitar World and Guitar Player magazines. Renowned for his incendiary speed, laser-tight picking accuracy, and rich modal phrasing, he has served as a senior masterclass instructor for JTC Guitar, clinic demonstrator for brands like NUX and Wilkinson, and a prolific solo artist.

Instrumental Skills & Technical Signature

Alternate & Economy Picking: Celebrated worldwide for one of the cleanest, fastest, and most relaxed picking techniques in modern shred guitar, executing high-speed scalar runs and multi-string arpeggios with zero friction.
Advanced Harmonic Analysis & Counterpoint: Drawing on his master's degree in harmony and counterpoint, his soloing seamlessly blends outside-the-box modal superimposition, exotic scales, chromatic voice leading, and melodic chord-tone targeting.
Fluid Legato & Two-Handed Tapping: Effortless wide-stretch intervallic legato, dynamic string-skipping arpeggios, and multi-finger fretboard tapping reminiscent of Guthrie Govan, Paul Gilbert, and Greg Howe.
Vibrato & Whammy Articulation: Deep, vocal-like vibrato combined with expressive micro-tonal bends and nuanced tremolo bar control, frequently utilizing custom instruments equipped with Wilkinson locking saddles.

Band Affiliations & Professional Projects

Heaven Rain (2006–2010s): The Bosnian melodic and progressive power metal outfit where Paspalj served as the lead guitarist and primary soloist, touring regionally across the Balkans.
JTC Guitar Artist Roster: Joined the prestigious global instructional platform in 2020, releasing acclaimed instructional masterclasses, theory packages, and collaborative video jams alongside Andy James, Marco Sfogli, and Justin Derrico.
Session & Academic Engagements: Former university lecturer in harmony and counterpoint at the Academy of Arts (Banja Luka); established a tenured session career in Dubai, performing thousands of high-level live showcases across the UAE with premier international ensembles.

Selected Discography & Releases

Solo Studio Albums & EPs

Gravity (2010): His debut solo instrumental guitar album released via Moonwolf Entertainment Group, blending neoclassical grandeur, hard rock drive, and technical shred.
Full Throttle (2024): A landmark solo instrumental album spotlighting ferocious technical execution, soaring power-ballad melodies, and fusion textures across cuts like "Breakneck," "Krung Thep (Night in Bangkok)," "Night Waltz," and "When the Lights Go Down."
Into the Blue (EP) (2023): A melodic showcase EP featuring the award-winning arrangement that captured international honors with Guitar World.
Under the Weather (EP / Single) (2025): A dynamic trio of tracks—including "Joe(Y) Ride" and "Bangla Road"—fusing blues-rock phrasing with modern progressive fusion virtuosity.

With Heaven Rain

Far and Forever (2008): The debut full-length studio release from the progressive/power metal band, featuring extensive neoclassical solos and rhythm work by Paspalj.

My signature presets for ENYA Inspire PRO guitar are now available for download trough Enya App.
All guitar sounds, amp sims and effects You hear in this video are coming directly from Enya on-board sound processor, no external processing is used

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Igor Paspalj - ENYA Inspire PRO signature presets

Cheng Tian, Tyler, Jason Z: Faux Future - Ibanez Prestige RG653DX

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 21:46:27 GMT

"Faux Future" (Cheng Tian, Tyler & Jason Z)

Modern Instrumental Progressive Guitar & Math-Rock Fusion Showcase

Overview: Track & Collaboration Context

"Faux Future" is an original instrumental track and performance collaboration rather than a permanent stand-alone touring band. Written and spearheaded by guitarist/composer Cheng Tian (成田 / @ChengTianStudio) in collaboration with Ibanez Guitars, the project brought together a trio of virtuosic musicians for an official showcase demonstration centered around modern progressive instrumental rock and the Ibanez Prestige RG653DX.

The track is characterized by complex odd-time signatures, fluid neo-soul and progressive metal phrasing, fast hybrid/alternate picking, and dynamic counterpoint between lead guitars and drums.

Featured Musicians & Roles

Cheng Tian (成田 / @ChengTianStudio) – Lead Guitar & Composer: An Ibanez artist and instrumental guitarist/arranger known for his sophisticated harmonic voicings, fluid legato, and modern progressive compositions.
Tyler (@Guitar-Tyler) – Guitar: Co-guitarist on the track, providing tight harmonic counterpoint, dual-lead trades, and technical rhythm support.
Jason Z (@JasonZdrums) – Drums: The rhythmic anchor, delivering intricate syncopation, modern gospel-chops fills, and dynamic groove control.

Release & Production Details

Featured Instrument: Ibanez Prestige RG653DX
Presentation: Official performance and product demonstration released through Ibanez Guitars and artist platforms.

Faux Future | Cheng Tian & Tyler & Jason Z | Ibanez Prestige RG653DX

Lisa-X, Alex Hutchings,Jack Thammarat: L3 Jam - Room 335, Stratus, The Pump

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 21:35:45 GMT

Room 335 (Larry Carlton) - Laney L3, Lisa-X, Alex Hutchings and Jack Thammarat Band

Laney L3 Clinic Tour, Live at Triangle Wave Eco Studio, Bangkok 9th November 2024.

Lisa-X - Guitar
Alex Hutchings - Guitar
Jack Thammarat - Guitar
May Patcharapong - Bass
Mong Kritsana - Drums
Tor Kritsakorn - Keyboards

Room 335 (Larry Carlton) - Laney L3 Jam Session, Lisa-X, Alex Hutchings and Jack Thammarat Band 323k views 1 yr ago

Stratus, The Pump - Laney L3, Lisa-X, Alex Hutchings and Jack Thammarat with Rasta on drums

Esmée van Sinderen: Van Sinderen - A Book I'd Burn But Never Close

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 17:18:40 GMT

Esmée van Sinderen (Van Sinderen)

Dutch Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Guitarist, Songwriter & Luthier

Biography & Musical Career

Born October 11, 2000, in the north of the Netherlands, Esmée van Sinderen is a Dutch guitarist, composer, and custom guitar builder. Beginning her musical journey at age 16, she honed her signature melodic sensibilities playing for several years in a Thin Lizzy tribute outfit, developing a lifelong passion for classic dual-harmony guitar counterpoint and punchy 1970s and '80s hard rock riffs.

She gained international prominence upon joining the heavy metal band Cobra Spell, touring across Europe alongside acts like Enforcer, Ross The Boss, and Evil Invaders. She contributed lead and rhythm guitar tracks to their acclaimed EP Anthems of the Night (recorded at Madrid's PKO Studios). Van Sinderen subsequently co-founded the classic heavy rock duo Gramophone with Swedish multi-instrumentalist Mattis Karlsson (ex-Dynamite) and teamed up with Sebastian "Spyder" Silva (Unto Others, ex-Cobra Spell) to launch the 1980s-inspired metal project Neon Black. In 2026, she launched her self-titled solo project, Van Sinderen, collaborating with various guest vocalists while writing all compositions, lyrics, and guitar arrangements herself.

Musical Instrumentation, Style & Luthier Skills

Twin-Guitar Harmonies & Melodic Lead Phrasing: Deeply rooted in the melodic twin-guitar traditions of Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore, and European heavy metal, combining singing vibrato, pentatonic blues runs, and fast neoclassical runs.
Rhythm Chops & 1980s Metal Riffing: Tight alternate picking and classic palm-muted heavy metal rhythms, utilizing Blackstar St. James amplifiers (official artist endorsement).
Lutherie & Custom Guitar Crafting: Trained as a professional restoration painter, she designs, modifies, and customizes her own electric guitars alongside working on vintage American muscle car restorations.

Band Associations & Projects

Van Sinderen (2026–present): Her eponymous solo project where she retains complete creative control over songwriting and composition, featuring guest vocalists for each release.
Cobra Spell (2021–2022): International 1980s-revival heavy metal outfit founded by Sonia Anubis; Van Sinderen served as guitarist during their breakthrough European tour cycle.
Gramophone (2022–present): An old-school hard rock two-piece collaborative outfit formed alongside Swedish musician Mattis Karlsson.
Neon Black (2022–present): A classic 1980s heavy metal collaboration formed with guitarist Sebastian "Spyder" Silva.

Selected Discography & Key Releases

Solo Releases as Van Sinderen

"A Book I'd Burn But Never Close" (Single feat. Simon Bildt) (2026): The debut release under her solo moniker Van Sinderen. Co-produced with Nico Outhuijse, the track is a personal, haunting melodic rock anthem exploring grief and childhood memory, pairing her driving guitars with Simon Bildt's vocals, Colin Boonstra's bass, and Chris Auckenthaler's drums.

With Cobra Spell

Anthems of the Night (EP) (2022): Recorded at PKO Studios in Madrid, featuring driving 1980s metal lead work on tracks like "Addicted to the Night" and "The Midnight Hour."

With Gramophone

Debut Studio Material / Singles: Recorded and mastered at Sweden's Pama Studios, featuring analog-style heavy rock arrangements co-written with Mattis Karlsson.

Van Sinderen - A Book I'd Burn But Never Close (feat. Simon Bildt)

Li-sa-X, Hazuki: Ibanez Shanghai Music Expo

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 17:09:39 GMT

Li-sa-X & Hazuki (KOIAI)

Virtuosic Modern Shred Interplay, Technical Fusion & Progressive Pop-Metal

Biographies & Musical Backgrounds

Li-sa-X (born February 8, 2005) is a world-renowned Japanese guitar prodigy who gained global recognition as a child through viral instrumental performances of Racer X, Polyphia, and Dream Theater. Mentored by guitar icons including Paul Gilbert and signed to Sony Music Japan while still in middle school, she developed an uncanny technical mastery characterized by blistering alternate picking, fluid cross-string articulation, and emotive melodic phrasing.

Hazuki (葉月, born August 16) is a celebrated Japanese rock and metal guitarist. Originally trained on classical piano from age four before picking up electric guitar in high school, Hazuki rose to international prominence as a founding guitarist of heavy metal outfit NEMOPHILA. An official Ibanez signature artist (wielding the HZK1 and custom 7-string RG models), Hazuki is renowned for her crushing rhythm chops, high-speed lead runs, and aggressive low-tuned metal riffing.

Joining forces initially in the Li-sa-X Band in 2020, the duo formally co-founded KOIAI in December 2022. The band merges technical guitar shredding with bright, infectious J-rock and progressive pop-rock sensibilities.

Instrument Skills & Technical Interplay

Li-sa-X – Lead Guitar, Composition & Alternate Picking: Specializes in laser-accurate alternate picking, string-skipping arpeggios, wide-stretch legato lines, and polyphonic fusion chord work. Known for playing Ibanez J.Custom and AZ series guitars powered by modern digital modeling rigs.
Hazuki – Lead/Rhythm Guitar, 7-String Precision & Heavy Riffing: Brings heavy power-metal crunch, tight palm-muted polyrhythms, and high-velocity sweep picking. As an Ibanez artist, her playing bridges low-tuned drop-riff aggression with singing, expressive melodic solos.
Twin-Guitar Synergy: In KOIAI, Li-sa-X and Hazuki craft intricate dual-lead counterpoint, synchronized harmony shred passages, and dynamic call-and-response solos that blend neoclassical technicality with danceable progressive pop-rock tempos.

Band Context: KOIAI Lineup & Evolution

Formed in late 2022, KOIAI was conceived around the twin guitar core of Li-sa-X and Hazuki alongside founding vocalist Kotono (ex-IRONBUNNY). After completing sold-out domestic showcases and international tours across India and Europe, Kotono stepped down in 2025 due to health reasons. The group reconstituted as a five-piece powerhouse:

Mirei Sakurada (桜田ミレイ) – Lead Vocals (2025–present): Joined in late 2025 as the band's new frontwoman, delivering powerful modern pop/rock vocal range and dynamic stage energy.
Li-sa-X – Guitar
Hazuki – Guitar
Yunika Impact – Bass (2026–present): Joined the lineup in March 2026, delivering slap, tap, and heavy low-end grooves.
Kanade Sato (佐藤奏) – Drums: Roland V-Drums world champion and technical jazz/rock drum prodigy who became a full member in late 2023.

Selected Discography & Key Releases

Li-sa-X Solo Releases

Serendipity (EP) (2017): Her major-label debut mini-album on Sony Music Japan, featuring Racer X covers and guest contributions from Polyphia.
Will (Full-Length Album) (2018): Her premier full-length solo instrumental outing on Sony Records, highlighting original compositions like "Little Wings" and complex progressive fusion arrangements.

Li-sa-X Band

"One More Chance Is Enough" / "Just Be My Treasure" (Single) (2020): The first collaborative outing uniting Li-sa-X and Hazuki in a vocal rock band format with vocalist Rina.
"Looking Up To You" / "Cola Battle Again" (Single) (2022): The final dual single release under the Li-sa-X Band banner prior to reforming as KOIAI.

KOIAI EPs & Key Works

Deep Indigo (1st EP) (2023): The self-produced debut EP establishing KOIAI's "progressive pop" signature, featuring danceable rock grooves and virtuosic fretboard interplay.
Deep Love (2nd EP) (2023): A companion extended play showcasing expanded vocal harmonies, complex odd-time rhythmic accents, and soaring melodic guitar solos.
Come see me (3rd EP) (2024): A refined studio release demonstrating advanced songwriting maturity, tight arrangements, and high-velocity twin-guitar trading.
Starting Over (4th EP) (2026): The landmark relaunch EP marking the debut of vocalist Mirei Sakurada and bassist Yunika Impact, anchored by standout technical tracks like "Starting Over," "Reboot the Abyss," and "Hoax".

Li-sa-X & HAZUKI perform "Highly Strung" – a must-watch from the Ibanez showcase at the Shanghai Music Expo!

Ibanez Shanghai Music Expo – Live Performance Recap: Li-sa-X & HAZUKI "Highly Strung"

John Mayer: Gravity - Stephen Talkhouse - August 26, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 17:05:19 GMT

John Mayer

Grammy-Winning Singer-Songwriter, Modern Blues Icon & Guitar Virtuoso

Biography

Born John Clayton Mayer on October 16, 1977, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, John Mayer is one of the most commercially successful and technically revered guitarists of the 21st century. Inspired to pick up the instrument after hearing Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mayer attended the Berklee College of Music before moving to Atlanta to hone his craft in acoustic clubs. He achieved immediate commercial stardom in the early 2000s with acoustic pop-rock anthems like "Your Body Is a Wonderland" and "Daughters."

Eager to escape the teen-idol mold, Mayer pivoted toward his deep blues roots in 2005, forming the powerhouse John Mayer Trio alongside session titans Pino Palladino and Steve Jordan. This artistic evolution culminated in the masterwork Continuum (2006), establishing him as a bridge between mainstream pop songwriting and elite electric blues guitar artistry. Later exploring Laurel Canyon folk-rock, Americana, and slick 1980s pop production, Mayer has also earned widespread critical reverence as lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist for Dead & Company, performing the Grateful Dead's catalog on massive stadium runs and high-profile residencies.

Guitar Style & Musical Influence

Mayer is renowned for a distinctive playing style characterized by:

Thumb-Over Slap & Fret-Hand Percussion: A percussive acoustic technique (featured on tracks like "Neon" and "Stop This Train") where the thumb slaps bass notes and provides backbeat while fingers pluck polyphonic syncopations.
Expressive Blues Phrasing: Deeply indebted to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, and Eric Clapton, featuring wide vocal-like vibrato, aggressive rakes, and stinging single-coil lead bends.
Signature Instruments: Long associated with customized Fender Stratocasters (notably "The Black One") before collaborating with Paul Reed Smith to design the PRS Silver Sky, which became one of the most discussed and best-selling signature guitars in modern history.

Selected Discography & Landmark Albums

Studio Albums

Room for Squares (2001): Mayer's multi-platinum major-label debut, blending intricate acoustic chord voicings, jazzy pop-rock arrangements, and breakout hits like "No Such Thing," "Your Body Is a Wonderland," and the acoustic-guitar showcase "Neon."
Heavier Things (2003): His first US Billboard 200 #1 album, featuring richer horns and layered studio production on tracks like "Clarity," "Bigger Than My Body," and the Grammy Song of the Year winner "Daughters."
Continuum (2006): His defining masterpiece, blending blue-eyed soul, classic rhythm and blues, and virtuosic Stratocaster lead work. Featuring modern guitar touchstones like "Gravity," "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room," "Vultures," and "Waiting on the World to Change."
Battle Studies (2009): A sleek, introspective pop-rock album that debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, highlighted by tracks like "Heartbreak Warfare," "Edge of Desire," and a cover of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads."
Born and Raised (2012): A rootsy, organic Americana and Laurel Canyon folk-rock transformation produced by Don Was, featuring acoustic fingerpicking, harmonica, and pedal steel on "Shadow Days," "Queen of California," and the title track.
Paradise Valley (2013): The companion continuation of his rustic roots sound, featuring guest appearances by Frank Ocean and Katy Perry, alongside country-tinged tracks like "Dear Marie" and "Wildfire."
The Search for Everything (2017): A stylistic retrospective traversing all eras of his career—from stripped-down acoustic ballads and John Mayer Trio groove-funk ("Moving On and Getting Over") to polished pop ("Love on the Weekend").
Sob Rock (2021): A nostalgic homage to late-1980s adult-contemporary pop and yacht-rock guitar aesthetics, featuring slick chorus-soaked leads, synth textures, and hits like "Last Train Home," "New Light," and "Wild Blue."

Key Live & Trio Releases

Try! – John Mayer Trio Live in Concert (2005): The raw live debut of the John Mayer Trio with Pino Palladino on bass and Steve Jordan on drums, featuring blistering blues covers (Hendrix's "Wait Until Tomorrow") and stripped-down funk-rock originals.
Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles (2008): Regarded as one of the quintessential live guitar recordings of modern times, captured at the Nokia Theatre across three distinct sets: acoustic solo, the John Mayer Trio, and his full touring band.

All credits to SiriusXM

John Mayer - Gravity (Live at the Stephen Talkhouse - August 26, 2026)

Luís Kalil: talks Jason Becker, Tony McAlpine, Iron Maiden + Red Devil Vortex

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 16:43:19 GMT

Luís Kalil (Red Devil Vortex) was a 13 year old in small town Brazil when he was signed by ESP. He joins us to talk gear, insane techniques, and what it’s really like meeting your heroes. Luís breaks down his famous Reverse Tapping technique, explains how he uses his "secret weapon" fuzz pedal to make harmonics scream, and tells the surreal story of playing for Jason Becker in his own living room.
00:00 – Introduction
00:32 – Guitar World introduction & Luis Khalil's background
00:54 – Practicing for speed, muscle memory, and metronomes
02:12 – Signing with ESP at 13 and growing up in Brazil
03:43 – Luis's first electric guitars and discovering EMGs
04:43 – Learning by ear and advice from his teacher, Marcus
06:03 – Meeting and playing with Tony McAlpine
07:11 – Recording a solo for Tony McAlpine and technique breakdown
08:20 – Meeting Jason Becker and performing "Altitudes"
10:49 – The emotion of playing for Jason Becker and giving back
14:34 – Breaking down the "Painkiller" solo and using the Whammy pedal
16:17 – Luis's "secret weapon" Vispa fuzz pedal breakdown
18:09 – Shifting from a simple setup to building a selective pedalboard
19:04 – Performing with in-ear monitors and stage cabinets
19:50 – Red Devil Vortex band concept and the upcoming record
21:03 – Defining and demonstrating the "Reverse Tapping" technique
26:42 – Evolving as a player over the last 10 years and finding identity
31:20 – Reaching 100k Instagram followers and advice for young players
34:14 – Showcasing the custom Japan-made ESP guitar
36:17 – Life outside of music and playing soccer
36:45 – Demonstrating an unexpected style (Brazilian Bossa Nova)
37:55 – Dream artist collaborations and closing thoughts For more on Luís, visit
For more on Luís, visit
https://luiskalil.com/site/

Luís Kalil: Jason Becker, Tony McAlpine, Iron Maiden & Red Devil Vortex

Samantha Fish: The Five Riffs That Changed My Life

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 16:37:09 GMT

Let ready to go down the ultimate blues and rock rabbit hole! In this exclusive feature with Guitar World, genre-bending guitarist and singer @samanthafish3245 breaks down five legendary riffs that transformed her playing style, technique, and musical DNA. Follow Samantha Fish:
/ samanthafishmusic
Grab your copy of Paper Doll Live on CD/Vinyl or Stream it today via Rounder Records!
https://tinyurl.com/mvjr3n2v

0:09 – Riff 1: R.L. Burnside - "Going Down South"
1:49 – Riff 2: Junior Kimbrough - "Stay All Night"
4:02 – Riff 3: Mississippi Fred McDowell - "Wished I Was in Heaven Sitting Down"
6:29 – Riff 4: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - "American Girl"
8:05 – Riff 5: Black Sabbath - "War Pigs" Subscribe to Guitar World for more exclusive interviews, gear reviews, and performance breakdowns! Guitar World:
Subscribe to Guitar World for more exclusive interviews, gear reviews, and performance breakdowns! Guitar World:
http://www.guitarworld.com

Samantha Fish: The Five Riffs That Changed My Life

Yvette Young: Shibuya riffptractice + tour dates

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 16:35:45 GMT

9.17 Dallas TX
9.18 San AntonioTX
9.19 Houston TX
9.20 Baton Rouge LA
9.22 Tampa FL
9.23 Orlando FL
9.24 Atlanta GA
9.25 Nashville TN
9.26 Champaign IL
9.28 Colorado Springs CO
9.29 Denver CO
9.30 Salt Lake City UT
10.2 Phoenix AZ
10.3 San Diego CA
10.4 Santa Ana Neverender Fest

https://linktr.ee/yvetteyoung

how I practice for tour [shibuya riff]

Mitch Cowen: Allan Holdsworth 'Metal Fatigue' guitar solo

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 16:31:29 GMT

Mitch Cowen

Progressive Rock & Metal Guitar Virtuoso, Composer & Educator

Biography & Overview

Mitch Cowen is an English guitarist, composer, and educator based in the UK, widely recognized in progressive rock and modern instrumental guitar circles for his technical precision, sophisticated harmonic approach, and dynamic versatility. Best known as the lead guitarist for the modern progressive rock and metal outfit The Far Meadow, Cowen has earned acclaim for bridging classic symphonic prog sensibilities with modern shred techniques.

Steeped in the traditions of progressive guitar legends while incorporating cutting-edge modern fusion articulation—such as intricate alternate picking, wide-interval legato, and expressive melodic phrasing—Cowen has established a solid presence as a live performer, studio musician, and online guitar educator. In addition to his band work, his instructional videos, technical demonstrations, and guitar solos have made him a respected figure among contemporary progressive instrumentalists.

Selected Discography & Key Releases

With The Far Meadow

Given the Impossible (2016): A landmark progressive rock outing blending 1970s symphonic grandeur with modern heavier textures, spotlighting Cowen's melodic leads, intricate acoustic counterpoint, and soaring soloing throughout extended suites like "Traveler."
Foreign Land (2019): The band's critically praised follow-up release on Bad Elephant Music, showcasing ambitious conceptual themes, lush twin-lead arrangements with keyboards, and intense, dynamic electric guitar work across tracks like "The Fugitive."

Solo & Instrumental Output

Solo Demos, Etudes & Masterclasses (Various Years): A catalog of original instrumental compositions, high-level technical guitar etudes, and instructional demonstrations exploring modal improvisation, fusion phrasing, and modern progressive rock songcraft.

One of my favorite solos from the masterful Allan Holdsworth. My favorite thing about Allan's playing has to be his incredible phrasing. Such a genius composer and improviser.

If you're interested in other fusion/rock influenced by Holdsworth/Gambale and Brett Garsed, please check out my original music on Spotify/Apple music and all other streaming services.

My Debut album is currently being produced by Brett himself! Thanks for watching!

Allan Holdsworth 'Metal Fatigue' guitar solo (Mitch Cowen)

Toki, Miho, Anna, Kano: ZILQY - RUN a monster breaks out... Birth of Riot💿️

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:32:25 GMT

Zilqy

All-Female Post-Melodic Nu-Metal & Modern Heavy Rock from Japan

Biography & Band History

Formed in 2025, Zilqy (pronounced Zil-kee) is an all-female Japanese modern metal supergroup created by prominent figures in Japan’s heavy music landscape. The band’s moniker is a portmanteau blending "zilch" (zero) and "queen," symbolizing rising from nothing to claim their crown.

The quartet was brought together around a shared vision of bridging international contemporary heavy music—drawing deep influence from modern metalcore, post-melodic nu-metal, down-tuned grooves, and electronic elements—with soaring Japanese melodic sensibility. Fronted by bilingual vocalist Anna alongside celebrated veterans Toki (ex-Aldious) and Miho (ex-Lovebites), Zilqy debuted with hard-hitting singles like "Carry On" and quickly captured global attention across the international rock and metal communities.

Band Members

Anna – Lead Vocals: Frontwoman delivering dynamic vocal versatility, shifting seamlessly between aggressive screams, rhythmic verses, and soaring English/Japanese melodic choruses.
Toki – Guitars & Backing Vocals: Former guitarist of pioneering all-female power metal outfit Aldious, bringing crushing 7-string modern drop-tuned riffs, sharp rhythmic hooks, and explosive lead fretwork.
Miho – Bass & Backing Vocals: Founding bassist and former bandleader of Lovebites, driving the band's heavy low-end punch, aggressive fingerstyle attack, and grooving modern basslines.
Kano – Drums: The powerhouse rhythmic engine behind the kit, anchoring the outfit with heavy-hitting grooves, syncopated double-bass patterns, and modern metalcore-style precision.

Selected Discography & Key Releases

Extended Plays (EPs)

Vacant Throne (2025): The band's landmark debut EP, formally introducing their signature post-melodic nu-metal soundscape through crushing rhythm sections, dark electronic textures, and expansive, anthemic hooks.

Key Singles

"Carry On" (2025): The explosive debut single establishing their heavy, down-tuned modern aesthetic, driven by Toki's chunky guitar riffs and Anna's commanding vocal delivery.
"Worlds End" (2026): A hard-hitting showcase featuring low-tuned 7-string guitar aggression, atmospheric melodic dynamics, and a driving rhythm section.
"RUN" (2026): An energetic, groove-forward anthem released to mark the band's continued international momentum, pairing fast-paced rhythms with massive arena-ready vocal melodies.

🔥 Zilqy Tour 2026「Birth of Riot」🔥

October 11, 2026 Kashiwa PALOOZA, Chiba OPEN 17:00 / START 18:00
October 12, 2026 (National Holiday) Sendai LIVE & CLUB MACANA, Miyagi OPEN 17:30 / START 18:00
October 24, 2026 Kobe VARIT., Hyogo OPEN 17:30 / START 18:00
October 25, 2026 Nagoya ell. FITS ALL, Aichi OPEN 17:30 / START 18:00
November 14, 2026 Fukuoka INSA, Fukuoka OPEN 17:30 / START 18:00
November 15, 2026 Fukuoka INSA, Fukuoka OPEN 17:30 / START 18:00
November 28, 2026 OSAKA MUSE, Osaka OPEN 17:30 / START 18:00
👑 TOUR FINAL Wednesday, December 16, 2026 Zepp Shinjuku (TOKYO), Tokyo OPEN 18:00 / START 19:00

Zilqy's 1st Full Album Birth of Riot RUN Music Video Releasing on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. The Music Video for “RUN,” from Zilqy's 1st Full Album Full Album “Birth of Riot,” is now available. 💿️Album Birth of Riot 2026.10.07 Uprising ▼JP https://www.zilqy.com/
【Zilqy】RUN (Music Video)

To commemorate the first anniversary of Zilqy's formation and the release of the "RUN" music video, this special live stream will look back on the past year and feature the members themselves sharing their thoughts on their upcoming 1st full album "Birth of Riot" and nationwide tour. 💿️Album "Birth of Riot"💿️ 2026.10.07 Uprising ▼JP
【Zilqy】RUN Live Stream & 1st Anniversary Live Stream

2026年7月11日に開催されたZilqyのワンマンライヴ「From Zero To One」。

Zilqy’s one-man show “From Zero To One” took place on July 11, 2026.

バンド結成から走り続けてきたZilqyが、ついに“0”から“1”へと踏み出した、その瞬間の舞台裏を公開。
Go behind the scenes of the moment Zilqy, after pushing forward since the band’s formation, finally took the step from “0” to “1.”

「From Zero To One」を経て、Zilqyは次なるステージ「Birth of Riot」へ。次に生まれる瞬間は、秋の全国ツアーでその目で確かめてください。
With “From Zero To One” behind them, Zilqy now moves on to the next stage: “Birth of Riot.”
Witness what comes next with your own eyes on the nationwide tour this fall.

【Zilqy】From Zero To One Behind The Scene

【Zilqy】BURRN! Cover Shoot Behind the Scenes

Hizaki, Nacoco: Versailles and Jupiter gets a box to open

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:10:48 GMT

```html

HIZAKI & Nacoco

Symphonic Neo-Classical Shred Mastery & Modern High-Velocity Fretwork

Biographies & Musical Synergy

HIZAKI (born February 17, 1979, in Shiga Prefecture, Japan) is one of the most celebrated figures in Japanese visual kei and symphonic power metal. Best known as the primary composer and lead guitarist for Versailles and Jupiter, as well as the leader of his solo instrumental outfit HIZAKI grace project, HIZAKI is instantly recognizable for his aristocratic stage aesthetic and virtuosic playing. His signature style is rooted in high-speed alternate picking, sweeping neoclassical arpeggios, emotive vibrato, and lush, violin-inspired melodic phrasing, making him a long-standing signature artist for ESP Guitars.

Nacoco (나코코) is a South Korean-born guitarist, songwriter, and online sensation active in Japan, known for her masked persona, razor-sharp technical precision, and viral presence on YouTube. Fronting the rock/metal outfit M4SK, Nacoco rose to international prominence through high-octane covers and technical instrumental performances, appearing alongside prominent acts like DragonForce and Nemophila at international festivals. Known for her fluid lead playing, modern tone shaping, and high-velocity runs, she shares a deep creative affinity with HIZAKI, frequently collaborating on joint demonstrations and high-level guitar showcases.

Selected Discography & Key Releases

HIZAKI – Key Solo & Grace Project Releases

Dignity of Crest (2007): The landmark full-length album from the HIZAKI grace project, blending symphonic European metal orchestrations, harpsichord flourishes, and relentless neoclassical lead guitar trades.
Ruined Kingdom (2007): A foundational mini-album showcasing high-speed melodic metal anthems, twin-guitar harmonies, and rapid-fire sweep picking.
Rosario (2016): HIZAKI's premier full-length solo instrumental release, putting his expressive vibrato and classical discipline front and center across driving, orchestrated arrangements.
Back to Nature (2019): A focused instrumental mini-album that explores sweeping melodies, heavy rhythmic backdrops, and acoustic classical dynamics.
Rusalka (2021): An intricate instrumental single/EP release highlighting cinematic symphonic textures, fluid legato lines, and expansive guitar solo suites.

Nacoco / M4SK – Key Releases

Anime Harmony (2024): A dynamic instrumental project showcasing virtuosic guitar arrangements of iconic anime themes, filled with blazing alternate picking and modern progressive rhythms.
Blood Moon (EP) (2025): A hard-hitting mini-album combining modern alternative metal crunch, heavy drop tunings, and aggressive lead flourishes.
Queens of Infinity (2025): A prominent showcase release highlighting soaring melodic hooks, technical twin-lead interplay, and polished modern rock production.
Crown of Infinity (2025): The follow-up companion album continuing her exploration of fast-paced melodic metal solos, complex rhythm meters, and intricate fretboard tapping.

```

I tried to mess around without being disrespectful to HIZAKI from Versailles and Jupiter!! Drawin...

Steve Hackett: Tone Talk

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:52:55 GMT

This episode of Guess That Record has Jackson interviewing the amazing Steve Hackett! Steve is best known for serving as the lead guitarist for Genesis from 1971 to 1977. During his time in the band, he appeared on classic albums including "Foxtrot," "Selling England by the Pound," and "A Trick of the Tail." Since then, he's pursued a successful solo career which continues to this day. In this episode, Jackson and Steve talk about his approach to guitar playing, a breakdown of Genesis tracks, and his new album with Steve Rothery of Marillion! Steve Hackett and Steve Rothery's new album "The Roaring Waves" is available now! Buy it here: (https://www.insideoutmusic.com/)

Ep. 194 - Steve Hackett of Genesis, Solo Artist and Hackett & Rothery!

Steve Hackett: Gets Candid About the Making of "Supper's Ready"

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:50:26 GMT

Steve Hackett

Progressive Rock Pioneer, Classical Virtuoso & Master of Melodic Guitar

Biography

Born Stephen Richard Hackett on 12 February 1950 in Pimlico, London, Steve Hackett is widely celebrated as one of the most innovative and influential guitarists in rock history. After answering a famous classified ad placed by Peter Gabriel in Melody Maker seeking a guitarist "determined to strive beyond existing stagnant music forms," Hackett joined Genesis in early 1971. His six-year tenure with the band defined the golden era of progressive rock, leaving an indelible mark on seminal albums such as Foxtrot, Selling England by the Pound, and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.

Hackett is universally recognized as a pioneer of advanced electric guitar techniques, introducing two-handed fretboard tapping, sweep-picking concepts, and lush volume-swell string textures well before they entered the mainstream rock and heavy metal lexicon. Departing Genesis in 1977 to pursue total artistic autonomy, Hackett has forged an expansive solo career encompassing over thirty studio albums. His work moves effortlessly between symphonic progressive rock, intricate classical nylon-string repertoire, blues, and world fusion. In 1986, he co-founded the supergroup GTR with Yes guitarist Steve Howe, scoring a US Top 20 hit with "When the Heart Rules the Mind." In 2010, Hackett was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis, and he continues to tour globally with his acclaimed solo band, preserving and revitalizing progressive rock's rich heritage.

Selected Solo Discography & Key Releases

The Classic Era

Voyage of the Acolyte (1975): Recorded while still a member of Genesis with bandmates Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins, this tarot-inspired debut remains a landmark progressive rock classic featuring "Ace of Wands" and the towering epic "Shadow of the Hierophant."
Please Don't Touch! (1978): His first post-Genesis release, showcasing a versatile array of guest vocalists including Richie Havens, Randy Crawford, and Kansas frontman Steve Walsh, alongside legendary rhythm section Chester Thompson and Phil Ehart.
Spectral Mornings (1979): A definitive high-water mark of his solo career, anchored by his regular touring band and featuring the soaring, emotional sustained lead guitar on the iconic title track.
Defector (1980): His most commercially successful UK solo release, blending punchy art-rock sensibilities, vintage synth arrangements, and progressive structures on tracks like "The Steppes" and "Jacuzzi."
Cured (1981): A pop-leaning, new-wave-influenced release recorded as a duo with longtime keyboard collaborator Nick Magnus, featuring Hackett taking over lead vocal duties on tracks such as "Hope I Don't Wake" and "Picture Postcard."
Highly Strung (1983): An energetic 1980s rock outing featuring the UK hit single "Cell 151," highlighting heavy overdriven riffs, experimental guitar synth textures, and driving rhythmic arrangements.

Acoustic, Classical & Concept Works

Bay of Kings (1983) & Momentum (1988): Intimate, classical nylon-string collections demonstrating Hackett's delicate touch, Bach-influenced counterpoint, and classical Spanish discipline.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (1997): A fully orchestrated classical suite composed by Hackett, recorded alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, interpreting Shakespeare's famed comedy.
Metamorpheus (2005): An ambitious conceptual suite for acoustic guitar and orchestral chamber ensemble, based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.
Under a Mediterranean Sky (2021): An evocative acoustic travelogue inspired by Hackett's journeys around the Mediterranean basin, layered with orchestral arrangements and indigenous folk instrumentation.

The Genesis Revisited Projects

Genesis Revisited / Watcher of the Skies (1996): Hackett's initial reimagining of classic Genesis compositions with modern production and an all-star cast including John Wetton, Paul Carrack, and Bill Bruford.
Genesis Revisited II (2012): A sweeping, critically lauded double album that launched his worldwide touring franchise, featuring guest appearances from progressive luminaries such as Mikael Åkerfeldt, Steven Wilson, and Steve Rothery.

Modern Progressive Renaissance

To Watch the Storms (2003) & Wild Orchids (2006): Acclaimed studio outings marking a return to dynamic, eclectic progressive rock, blending heavy electric riffs, psychedelic flourishes, and world instrumentation.
Wolflight (2015) & The Night Siren (2017): Globally minded progressive rock records incorporating multi-cultural instruments—such as the oud, sitar, and charango—reflecting themes of peace and cross-border artistic unity.
At the Edge of Light (2019) & Surrender of Silence (2021): Heavy, cinematic studio albums balancing high-velocity lead guitar, world rhythms, and grand symphonic orchestrations.
The Circus and the Nightwhale (2024): A deeply personal autobiographical concept album charting a young musician's journey through postwar London into artistic maturity, pairing vintage 1970s prog textures with crushing modern guitar tones.

Steve Hackett was the lead guitarist for Genesis from 1971-1977, meaning he played on many classic albums and tracks. In this clip, Jackson and Steve talk about the creation of the epic song "Supper's Ready," and why Steve believes it's one of the greatest progressive rock songs of all time.

Steve Hackett Gets Candid About the Making of "Supper's Ready"

his episode of Guess That Record has Jackson interviewing the amazing Steve Hackett! Steve is best known for serving as the lead guitarist for Genesis from 1971 to 1977. During his time in the band, he appeared on classic albums including "Foxtrot," "Selling England by the Pound," and "A Trick of the Tail." Since then, he's pursued a successful solo career which continues to this day. In this episode, Jackson and Steve talk about his approach to guitar playing, a breakdown of Genesis tracks, and his new album with Steve Rothery of Marillion!

Steve Hackett and Steve Rothery's new album "The Roaring Waves" is available now! Buy it here: (https://www.insideoutmusic.com/)

0:00 Introducing Steve Hackett
2:29 Steve's style of guitar playing
7:07 Ad break
8:43 The making of "Supper's Ready"
16:55 The making of "Los Endos"
19:48 New album with Steve Rothery
25:59 Outro
Steve Hackett: Genesis, Guitar, and Foxtrot | Ep 56

Tony Banks: Keyboard Chronicles Episode 200

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:47:14 GMT

For our 200th episode we couldn't think of a better person to feature than Tony Banks, a true master of the craft and still creating amazing music to this day. In a little over an hour we cover Tony's career as the heart of Genesis, as well as his brilliant solo output and some superb insights into composition, soloing and a great deal more.

00:00:00 Intro & Welcome
00:01:03 Catching up with Tony Banks
00:04:10 Early musical upbringing and influences
00:07:23 Keyboard inspirations (Alan Price, Rod Argent, Keith Emerson)
00:09:05 Forming Genesis & playing live
00:10:30 Pushing musical boundaries & early solos
00:16:03 The collaborative writing process
00:19:39 Synthesizers and the ARP Pro Soloist
00:22:43 Using Hammond organs and fuzz boxes
00:23:46 The impact of the Yamaha CP-70
00:26:06 Practice routines and complex time signatures
00:30:56 Thoughts on Genesis tribute bands
00:32:44 Polymoog, string synths, and sampling
00:36:44 Composing classic solos (Cinema Show, Apocalypse in 9/8)
00:38:40 Tony's personal favorite solos
00:42:12 The massive commercial success of Invisible Touch
00:45:20 Solo career: A Curious Feeling
00:48:41 Singing lead vocals on The Fugitive
00:52:38 Writing lyrics for Genesis
00:56:55 Transitioning to orchestral composing
01:06:26 The hardest Genesis song to play live
01:09:53 Does Tony miss touring?
01:12:47 Thoughts on his musical legacy
01:14:47 Tony's Desert Island Discs

Tony Banks Interview | Genesis | Solo Artist | Keyboard Chronicles Episode 200

Rick Wakeman: unboxes the Return to the Red Planet

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:45:45 GMT

```html

Rick Wakeman

Progressive Rock Keyboard Wizard, Composer & Synthesizer Pioneer

Biography

Born Richard Christopher Wakeman on May 18, 1949, in Perivale, London, Rick Wakeman (CBE) stands as one of the most virtuosic, flamboyant, and influential keyboardists in rock history. Classically trained at the Royal College of Music, Wakeman first established himself as one of London's most in-demand session musicians in the late 1960s and early 1970s, contributing memorable keyboard and piano parts to landmark tracks including David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and "Life on Mars?", Cat Stevens' "Morning Has Broken", and recordings by Elton John, T. Rex, and Black Sabbath.

After rising to prominence with the folk-rock outfit Strawbs, Wakeman joined progressive rock giants Yes in August 1971. His mastery of the Minimoog, Mellotron, Hammond organ, and grand piano transformed the band's sonic architecture, helping craft foundational prog masterworks such as Fragile (1971) and Close to the Edge (1972). Across multiple tenures with Yes and alongside his English Rock Ensemble, Wakeman also pioneered large-scale, symphonic solo concept albums celebrated for their theatrical excess, cape-clad stage presence, and staggering technical dexterity.

Selected Solo Discography & Landmark Albums

The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973): His breakthrough solo instrumental masterpiece, composed while touring with Yes. Featuring members of both Yes and Strawbs, each track provides a colorful, keyboard-driven character study of Henry VIII's spouses, blending classical counterpoint with driving rock rhythms.
Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1974): A colossal live recording captured at London's Royal Festival Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra, the English Chamber Choir, and narrator David Hemmings. It became an unexpected international smash, reaching #1 on the UK Albums Chart and #3 on the US Billboard 200.
The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (1975): An ambitious symphonic-rock epic utilizing full choir and orchestra, famous for its grand conceptual scope, intricate synth arrangements, and its infamous, extravagant premiere staged on ice at Wembley Arena.
No Earthly Connection (1976): A mystical, space-age concept album recorded with the English Rock Ensemble in France, highlighting complex odd-time signatures, layered analog synthesizers, and philosophical narrative themes.
Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record (1977): A high-energy instrumental favorite recorded in Switzerland, anchored by Yes bandmates Chris Squire and Alan White, featuring standout showcases like "Birdman of Alcatraz" and "Judas Iscariot" (utilizing the church organ of St. Martin's Church in Vevey).
1984 (1981): A dynamic musical adaptation of George Orwell's dystopian novel, featuring lyrics by Tim Rice and powerhouse guest vocals from Chaka Khan, Jon Anderson, and Steve Harley.
Country Airs (1986): A chart-topping acoustic piano departure that went straight to #1 on the UK New Age charts, launching an acclaimed series of minimalist, pastoral piano records including Sea Airs and Night Airs.
Return to the Centre of the Earth (1999): The 25th-anniversary conceptual sequel to his 1974 triumph, narrated by Patrick Stewart and featuring guest vocal performances by Ozzy Osbourne, Justin Hayward, Bonnie Tyler, and Trevor Rabin.
Out There (2003): A triumphant return to classic, full-throttle progressive rock with the New English Rock Ensemble and a full choir, exploring cosmic exploration and symphonic keyboard themes.
Piano Portraits (2017) & Piano Odyssey (2018): A commercially resonant series of solo grand piano recordings reinterpreting classic rock, pop, and classical standards, earning Wakeman UK Top 10 chart success in his seventies.
The Red Planet (2020): A widely celebrated return to instrumental, analog-synth-heavy prog rock alongside the English Rock Ensemble, drawing inspiration from Martian topography and vintage Mellotron/Moog soundscapes.
Return to the Red Planet (2026): A sweeping conceptual sequel expanding his Martian exploration, spotlighting the English Rock Ensemble and featuring "Bowie's Vision", a personal tribute honoring his longtime friend and collaborator David Bowie.

``` Rick unboxes the Return to the Red Planet | Rick Wakeman
RELEASE DATE: 16th OCTOBER ON MADFISH MUSIC

“Once I started looking at the new data and photographs, I realised there was an entirely new album waiting to be written. There was simply too much more to say about Mars - musically and spiritually - not to return.” – Rick Wakeman

A new progressive rock suite inspired by both past and the latest discoveries on The Red Planet. Featuring Lee Pomeroy, Dave Colquhoun, Adam Falkner & Mollie Marriott.

"This isn't just another Rick Wakeman album. It's a bloody good one!" Simon Heyworth - Producer of Tubular Bells

Recorded between August 2025 and January 2026, the project also marks a welcome return to full band recording, with all musicians working together at Decoy Studios. The album is performed by Wakeman’s English Rock Ensemble, featuring bassist Lee Pomeroy, guitarist Dave Colquhoun, drummer Adam Falkner and vocalist Mollie Marriott, daughter of legendary Steve Marriott. The album was mastered by renowned engineer Simon Heyworth.

SUBSCRIBE https://rick-wakeman.lnk.to/subscribe and ENABLE 🔔 for notifications
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Rick Wakeman: unboxes the Return to the Red Planet

A Very Special Announcement From Rick Wakeman

Rick Wakeman - Bowie's Vision | Return to the Red Planet

Lee Pomeroy on the Return to the Red Planet | Rick Wakeman

Rick Wakeman - Bowie's Vision | Return to the Red Planet

Ben Eunson, Sean Wayland: GUITAR Shred at 55 BAR NYC

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:19:53 GMT

Sean Wayland's composition 'Foodland' with ‪@seanwayland‬ (keyboards), Des White (Bass) and Henry Cole (Drums), live at the 55 Bar in NYC.

The 55 Bar (NYC)

Greenwich Village's Legendary Dive & Ground-Zero for Cutting-Edge Jazz-Fusion Guitar

History & Legacy

Located at 55 Christopher Street in the heart of Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, The 55 Bar originally opened in 1919 as a Prohibition-era speakeasy. For decades a gritty neighborhood dive, the venue transformed in 1983 when owner Peter Williams allowed bassist Jeff Andrews to start hosting live jazz duets in the corner of the room.

Andrews quickly invited electric guitar icon Mike Stern to join him, initiating a legendary, near-four-decade residency. Nicknamed "The Dump" by regulars and Stern himself, the dimly lit basement bar featured sticky floors, baskets of free popcorn, and virtually zero separation between the audience and world-class musicians. Despite its unassuming dive aesthetic, it became an international proving ground where artists could experiment without commercial pressure:

Michael Brecker formed his first touring band here in 1987 after hearing Mike Stern's trio in the room.
David Bowie famously scouted and recruited his core Blackstar backing band (including Donny McCaslin, Ben Monder, and Tim Lefebvre) following their performances at the club.
Emerging artists including Norah Jones honed their craft and built initial backing ensembles during early evening slots.

Under the stewardship of Queva Lutz (from 2001 until her passing in 2007) and her son Scott Ellard, the venue maintained its policy of high-wire improvisational music until mounting debts from the COVID-19 pandemic forced its permanent closure in May 2022.

Famous Guitar Players of the 55 Bar

The 55 Bar held a singular reputation in the guitar world as a temple of electric virtuosity, heavy volume, and complex harmonic experimentation. Notable players who held long residencies or frequent gigs there include:

Mike Stern: The club’s foundational pillar from 1984 until its 2022 closure. Stern’s blistering, chorus-drenched jazz-rock workouts on Mondays and Wednesdays became so iconic that Berklee and Manhattan music students took late-night commuter buses just to stand inches from his amplifier.
Wayne Krantz: A defining fixture of the venue from the late 1980s through the 2000s. Alongside rhythm sections featuring Keith Carlock, Tim Lefebvre, or Lincoln Goines, Krantz developed his revolutionary approach to rhythmic improvisation, funk groove, and metric modulation here, documented on live recordings like Greenwich Mean.
Leni Stern: A long-time resident performer whose regular Sunday shows showcased a blend of contemporary jazz, African rhythmic traditions, and virtuosic guitar/ngoni arrangements, frequently joined by luminaries like Paul Motian and Bill Frisell.
Adam Rogers: A frequent bandleader and collaborator on the 55 Bar stage, known for high-velocity post-bop harmonic mastery, fluid alternate picking, and boundary-pushing standards sessions alongside saxophonist David Binney.
Oz Noy: The Israeli-born fusion maverick made the 55 Bar his primary New York stomping ground, developing his signature cocktail of gritty blues-rock, odd-meter funk, and eccentric pedalboard experimentation alongside top rhythm sections.
Ben Monder: Brought his expansive, microtonal chord voicings, sweeping arpeggios, and haunting dark atmospheres to the club, both as a leader and as a key component of Donny McCaslin's groundbreaking modern ensembles.
Bill Frisell: Appeared during the club’s fertile 1980s and 1990s era, notably sharing the cramped stage in intimate small-group collaborations with Leni Stern.
Nir Felder, Alex Skolnick, Pete McCann & Tom Guarna: Part of the generation of formidable modern players who regularly used the venue to push electric jazz guitar phrasing into heavy, modern, and genre-crossing territory.

Ben Eunson GUITAR Shred at 55 BAR NYC, with Sean Wayland, Des White & Henry Cole

Enver İzmaylov: Crimean Tatar Music, Spider technique

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:07:43 GMT

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Enver İzmaylov

Pioneering Crimean Tatar Virtuoso & Master of Two-Handed Tapping

Biography

Born on June 12, 1955, in Fergana, Uzbekistan, to an exiled Crimean Tatar family, Enver İzmaylov (also spelled Izmailov) is an internationally celebrated guitarist, composer, and musical innovator. Although he originally studied the bassoon at the Fergana Music School, graduating in 1973, he had played guitar since age fifteen and spent the 1980s performing with the jazz-fusion ensemble Sato. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, he returned to his ancestral homeland of Crimea, Ukraine, where he solidified his international solo career.

İzmaylov independently developed an astonishing two-handed touch-tapping technique on the fretboard, creating an intricate, piano-like polyphonic approach completely unprompted by Western contemporaries. His groundbreaking style allows him to tap independent basslines, chordal accompaniment, and blistering melodic lines simultaneously, occasionally utilizing throat singing and percussive body techniques to mimic traditional instruments like the saz, dombra, and tabla. By marrying modern jazz-rock improvisation with complex Balkan, Turkish, and Crimean Tatar microtonal folk traditions—often performed in challenging odd-meter meters such as 5/8, 7/8, 9/8, and 11/16—İzmaylov has earned worldwide acclaim as one of modern guitar's truest original voices.

Selected Discography & Key Albums

With Sato – Efsane (1986) & Pass the Kindness Around (1987): Landmark Soviet-era releases on the Melodiya label with jazz-fusion group Sato, providing the earliest recorded documentation of İzmaylov's evolving fretboard virtuosity and folk-fusion ideas.
Black Sea (Kara Deniz) (1992): A collaborative recording with Turkish percussion virtuoso Burhan Öçal on Switzerland's Unit Records, bridging complex Near Eastern polyrhythms with fluid, touch-tapped acoustic and electric fretwork.
At a Ferghana Bazaar (1993): His celebrated live solo album released via Germany's Tutu Records, showcasing stunning unaccompanied performances that introduced European audiences to his self-taught polyphonic tapping approach.
The Eastern Legend (1993): A landmark solo studio release blending traditional Crimean Tatar and Uzbek themes with expansive jazz improvisation, microtonal inflections, and asymmetrical rhythmic dances.
With Geoff Warren – Dancing Over the Moon (1995) / Art of the Duo (1996): A long-running, intimate acoustic partnership with British flutist and saxophonist Geoff Warren, highlighting deep contrapuntal communication, chamber-jazz textures, and lyrical melodic counterpoint.
Crimea Art Trio – Minaret (1998): Recorded with his ensemble featuring percussionist Bari Rustem and multi-reedist Narket Ramazanov, exploring rich folkloric arrangements, modal suites, and Crimean Tatar heritage.
Around the Black Sea (2007): An expansive solo journey exploring maritime folklore, Balkan dance patterns, and rapid-fire hammer-on phrasing across acoustic and electric instruments.
River of Time (2008): A broader, modern production blending dynamic jazz-rock arrangements, distorted electric textures, and driving percussion alongside his signature multi-finger tapping style.
Meganom, Silk Road & The Storm (2012): A celebrated trio of releases documenting his continued masterworks across solo classical-folk interpretations, high-speed acoustic suites, and dynamic modern world-jazz fusion.

``` Enver İzmaylov: Crimean Tatar Heritage, Guitar Innovation & The Klezmatics | Full Interview

Meet Enver İzmaylov — internationally celebrated Crimean Tatar guitarist, composer and musical innovator, and a pioneer of the extraordinary two-handed tapping technique that allows him to create melody, harmony, rhythm and bass simultaneously.

Born in Fergana, Uzbekistan, to a Crimean Tatar family exiled from Crimea, Enver now lives in Crimea, where his music remains deeply connected to the history, resilience and musical traditions of the Crimean Tatar people.

In this full interview, Enver talks about his Crimean Tatar heritage, his unique guitar technique, his musical journey, and his collaborations with The Klezmatics and Fugu Dugu.

In 2026, Enver is featured on two major Roots & Chords Music album releases.

On The Klezmatics’ 40th-anniversary album, We Were Made for These Times, Enver appears on three tracks:

“Crimean Freylekhs”
“Kegn Gold Fun Zun / Tatar Dance”
“Lashinke Vaysinke”

He also appears on “Kamyana Gora” from Fugu Dugu’s new album, Bucky Wanko and the Legend of the Baba Yaga.

Two albums. Two very different musical worlds. One extraordinary Crimean Tatar guitarist.

THE KLEZMATICS — WE WERE MADE FOR THESE TIMES
https://www.klezmatics.com/

FUGU DUGU — BUCKY WANKO AND THE LEGEND OF THE BABA YAGA
https://rootsandchordsmusic.com/fugudugu
Presented by Roots & Chords Music.

Enver İzmaylov: Crimean Tatar Music, Guitar Innovation & Collaborating with The Klezmatics

The Klezmatics with Enver İzmaylov — Kegn Gold Fun Zun / Tatar Dance

Ben Eunson,Horace Bray: 'Strasbourg/St. Denis' (Roy Hargrove)

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 14:52:03 GMT

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Ben Eunson & Horace Bray

Modern Virtuosity, Harmonic Sophistication & Genre-Blurring Fusion

Biographies & Artistic Synergy

Ben Eunson (born 1989 in Melbourne, Australia) is an acclaimed jazz and fusion guitarist celebrated for his hyper-fluid alternate picking, angular modern phrasing, and singing Stratocaster tone. After relocating to the United States in his early twenties, Eunson quickly established a formidable presence in the New York jazz circuit. Combining relentless technical discipline with sophisticated harmonic mastery, he has toured and recorded with luminaries across diverse genres, including Terri Lyne Carrington, John Legend, Questlove, Queen Latifah, and Chad Lefkowitz-Brown.

Horace Bray is an American guitarist, singer-songwriter, and producer based in Los Angeles. A graduate of the University of North Texas, Bray made history as the first undergraduate guitarist in 15 years to hold the guitar chair in UNT's Grammy-nominated One O'Clock Lab Band. Since releasing his acclaimed modern jazz debut Dreamstate, Bray has seamlessly navigated jazz improvisation, indie-folk songwriting, and instrumental beat production (under his lofi moniker Felty), performing and recording with artists like Blu DeTiger, India.Arie, Maggie Rogers, and Benson Boone.

Both Eunson and Bray represent the forefront of the contemporary guitar community, combining high-level formal jazz education with viral digital reach, boundary-pushing fretboard etudes, and a shared passion for bridging traditional bebop harmony with modern rock, pop, and electronic aesthetics.

Selected Discography & Key Releases

Ben Eunson – Key Releases

Autumn (EP) (2015): Eunson's breakthrough introductory EP, tracked alongside pianist Sean Wayland, bassist Alexander Claffy, and drummer Kush Abadey, introducing his lyrical touch and contemporary harmonic language.
ACE (2019): His full-length studio debut in a hard-hitting power-trio format with Claffy and Abadey. The album spotlights his signature overdrive tone, blistering alternate-picked runs, and inventive rock-fusion compositions on tracks like "Growing Pains" and "Ace of Hearts".
Instructional Suites & Solo Singles (Various Years): Extensive original solo compositions, etudes, and educational masterclasses released via Ben's Guitar Club and digital platforms, highlighting modal improvisation and triad pair concepts.

Horace Bray – Key Releases

Dreamstate (2016): Bray's critically acclaimed debut jazz album, highlighting his rich chord voicings, lyrical post-bop sensibilities, and fluid soloing alongside top young jazz peers.
How It Ends (EP) & Rosa (EP) (2018–2019): Stylistic departures that merge intricate fingerstyle guitar arrangements and warm harmonic motion with intimate singer-songwriter and indie-folk lyricism.
Felty – Movement (EP) (2020) & Chillhop Projects: Bray's venture into lofi instrumental hip-hop via Chillhop Music, blending jazz guitar chord melody, vinyl warmth, and laid-back beat production.
Trio & Modern Instrumental Works: Subsequent studio singles, collaborative releases with producers such as Ariza, and acoustic trio sessions exploring the crossroads of Americana, contemporary jazz, and pop.

```

'Strasbourg/St. Denis' (Roy Hargrove) on Guitar with Ben Eunson & Horace Bray

Guitar TRIO: "All The Things You Are"—Live in Austin, TX

Guitar TRIO Jam: "I'll Remember April"—Live in Austin, TX

Dweezil Zappa: How the FU*K am I supposed to LEARN THIS?

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 14:50:20 GMT

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Dweezil Zappa

Virtuoso Rock Guitarist, Composer & Orchestrator of the Frank Zappa Legacy

Biography

Born Ian Donald Calvin Euclid Zappa on September 5, 1969, in Los Angeles, California, Dweezil Zappa was immersed in musical virtuosity from birth as the eldest son of composer and rock icon Frank Zappa. Taught early fretboard mechanics by Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai, Dweezil quickly developed an incendiary playing style marked by blistering alternate picking, fluid two-handed tapping, rhythmic agility, and eccentric melodic phrasing.

Launching his solo recording career as a teenager in the mid-1980s, Zappa also worked as an MTV VJ, session guitarist, and television personality, while exploring modern hard rock alongside his brother Ahmet in the 1990s band Z. In 2006, Dweezil undertook an exhaustive study of his father’s complex, polyrhythmic compositional style to launch Zappa Plays Zappa. Assembling a world-class ensemble—often featuring Frank Zappa alumni such as Terry Bozzio, Steve Vai, and Napoleon Murphy Brock—he earned critical reverence and a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for "Peaches en Regalia" (2009). Beyond tribute projects, his solo work bridges aggressive hard rock, progressive fusion, microtonal experimentation, and cinematic art-rock.

Selected Discography & Key Releases

Solo Studio Albums

Havin' a Bad Day (1986): His debut solo LP released at age 16, capturing high-energy 1980s hard rock guitar chops and humorous themes, co-produced with Bob Stone.
My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama (1988): A polished hard rock outing featuring his reimagined title track cover alongside dynamic instrumental and vocal cuts.
Confessions (1991): A diverse rock-fusion record showcasing Zappa's technical leap forward, highlighted by an all-star cover of the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive" with lead vocals by Ozzy Osbourne and guest solos from Nuno Bettencourt and Steve Lukather.
Automatic (2000): An intricate instrumental guitar showcase released via Steve Vai's Favored Nations label, highlighting complex rhythm changes, jazz-fusion arrangements, and advanced picking dynamics.
Go with What You Know (2006): A landmark solo release blending progressive rock complexity, microtonal fretwork, and heavy grooves, featuring a guest appearance by blues giant Joe Bonamassa.
Via Zammata' (2015): An ambitious, genre-crossing album named after the ancestral Zappa family street in Sicily, blending rock, orchestral arrangements, and world-folk instrumentation including banjo and oud.
Double Nickels (2024): A modern solo collection celebrating his 55th birthday milestone, spotlighting high-octane fretwork, refined tonal textures, and intricate compositions.

With Z (Ahmet & Dweezil Zappa)

Shampoohorn (1993): The debut project from the Zappa brothers, featuring multi-instrumentalist Mike Keneally and a rhythm section of Bryan Beller and Joe Travers, combining funk-metal grooves with Frank-inspired quirkiness.
Music for Pets (1996): The follow-up album continuing their quirky art-rock and heavy guitar interplay, mixed and produced across several international editions.

Key Live & Zappa Plays Zappa Releases

Zappa Plays Zappa (2008): The Grammy-winning live audio and concert film documenting the exacting recreation of Frank Zappa's most intricate compositions with an elite ensemble.
Return of the Son of... (2010): A sprawling live double-disc set capturing tour performances of extended Frank Zappa compositions like "Inca Roads," "The Black Page," and "Montana."
Live - In the Moment / F.O.H. Series (2011–2012): A celebrated series of front-of-house live recordings and improvised guitar solo compilations highlighting Dweezil's fluid, spontaneous soloing on the road.

```https://dweezilzappa.com/pages/tour
The 'LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON' Tour countdown is ticking down! The set list is daunting, as it's full of songs that, in twenty years of touring my dad's music, the band has NEVER played... and I've NEVER learned! Some aren't even supposed to be played on guitar, but I'm trying 'em anyway! We're also playing a few of my own songs that will be equally as formidable.
With that in mind, we thought it might be intriguing to roll camera in real time while I begin to learn one of the trickier tracks. In the spirit of being fast raw, the DAW was not recording on the band rehearsal and the camera audio was set to record dialogue, not loud music, so the sound is blown out.... but hey, that's all part of the experience!
Will I make it in time for the tour? Only one way to find out -- head to my website and snag a ticket to a show near you!
Now... do I cut the RED wire or the GREEN wire?

How the FU*K am I supposed to LEARN THIS?

Jack Gardiner,Oli Howe, Porter Bliquez: Iki 粋

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Monk) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 14:46:53 GMT

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Jack Gardiner

Modern Fusion Virtuoso, Producer & Legato Master

Biography

Hailing from Liverpool, England, and based internationally, Jack Gardiner is one of the standout virtuosos of modern instrumental guitar. Beginning his journey on the instrument at age ten, Gardiner immersed himself early in blues, funk, and 1980s shred before expanding into advanced jazz-fusion, neo-soul, and pop-rock harmony.

Known for his ultra-fluid hybrid picking, pristine legato lines, and sophisticated chordal vocabulary, Gardiner rapidly built a global reputation as a premier digital educator and clinician for platforms such as JamTrackCentral (JTC Guitar). Beyond instructional releases, he is a seasoned international touring guitarist, sharing stages with prominent pop acts and modern progressive luminaries across Europe, North America, and Asia. Alongside fellow British guitarist Owane, Gardiner has helped define the contemporary instrumental fusion sound—blending complex jazz-rock harmonies, synth-heavy production, and infectious groove sensibilities. An official Ibanez and Neural DSP artist, he remains a central influence among the current generation of modern technical guitarists.

Key Releases & Selected Discography

Collaborations with Owane

Chapter One: Fiction (2020): A landmark collaborative instrumental EP with Norwegian guitarist/producer Owane, merging intricate math-fusion grooves, slick synth-lead interplay, and standout guitar solos on tracks like "Action!" and "Coffee."
Chapter Two: Fiction (2022): The acclaimed follow-up collaborative outing, expanding into lush synth-pop textures, funk-laden rhythmic counterpoint, and virtuosic dual-guitar arrangements.

Solo & Featured Projects

Escapism (Single / Solo Suites) (2019–Present): A series of standalone instrumental compositions and video showcases highlighting Gardiner's evolving songwriting style, combining soaring melodic phrasing with complex fusion harmony.
JTC Masterclasses & Original Boxsets (Various Years): An extensive catalog of high-level instructional suites, original practice tracks, and technique studies—such as Mastering the Modes and Hybrid Picking Masterclass—that have become definitive study material for modern fusion guitarists.
Guest Appearances & Session Works: Numerous guest lead solos and studio contributions alongside modern instrumental peers, showcasing his distinctive touch, warm overdriven tone, and seamless improvisational flow.

💥 DEBUT ALBUM KINTSUGI IS OUT NOW: https://jackgardiner.com/
30% OFF ALL LESSONS/MASTERCLASSES - https://jackgardiner.com/

Guitar - Jack Gardiner
Keys - ‪@OliHowe‬
Drums - ‪@PorterBliquez‬
```

Jack Gardiner - Iki 粋 feat. Oli Howe & Porter Bliquez