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Allan Holdsworth

Allan Holdsworth is widely regarded by fans and contemporary musicians as one of the 20 th century's most prominent guitarists. He is one of a handful of musicians who has consistently proven himself as an innovator in between and within the worlds of rock and jazz music. Many of music's best-known instrumental masters cite Holdsworth as that rare and shining voice—a legendary player who continues to push the outer limits of instrumental technique and the electric guitar's range of tonal and textural possibilities. Particularly during the 90s, Holdsworth has enjoyed the recognition so many musicians strongly feel he deserves, given that he has developed his career outside the big label mainstream and has consistently produced his own recordings with complete creative control since the mid-80s. Despite the uncompromising nature of Holdsworth's predominantly genre-defying solo projects, he's no stranger to all-star jazz festival line-ups or large venue rock audiences. Musician Magazine placed Holdsworth near the top of their “100 greatest guitarists of all time.” There's never been a shortage of media attention or acclaim for Holdsworth's accomplishments and originality. An inductee of Guitar Player Magazine's Hall of Fame, Holdsworth is a five-time winner in their readers' poll.

Beyond his ability in improvising mercurial solos and sculpting the guitar's voice into an ever-expanding range of textures and colors, Holdsworth has dedicated his energies to develop many different aspects of guitar technology. This has included new “baritone” variations of the instrument, his own custom 6-string designs (one most recently manufactured by Carvin), the invention of electronic components for the recording studio, and exploring the possibilities of guitar-based synthesizer controllers. Holdworth's ability to improvise over complex and challenging chord voicings always reveals a deep emotional base and a strong, imaginative personality that is as instantly identifiable as any among Holdsworth's generation of guitar and jazz masters.

The sounds of Django Reinhardt, Jimmy Rainey, Charlie Christian, Joe Pass , Eric Clapton, and John Coltrane were among this English musician's early inspirations when he began to work professionally as a musician in his early twenties. Born in the city of Bradford , England , Holdsworth had been extensively tutored in aspects of musical theory and jazz appreciation by his father, an accomplished amateur musician. Holdsworth paid his musician's dues early on working the dance-club circuit, where he began to meet fellow musicians who hailed from the south. One of England 's best jazz tenor saxophonists, Ray Warleigh, heard amazing potential in Holdsworth's playing and brought him along to participate in jazz sets at the onset of the 70s, including sessions with Ray at Ronnie Scotts in London .

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Liner Notes

Bill Bruford: The Winterfold Collection 1978-1986

Read "Bill Bruford: The Winterfold Collection 1978-1986" reviewed by John Kelman


It's often easy to judge artists based on where they are now, but when you have a recorded legacy as rich as that of Bill Bruford, it's far better to view the body of work as a whole. As divergent as the intrepid percussionist/composer/bandleader's career has been, there are common threads running through all his work, making the earlier, electrified and amplified material on this Winterfold Collection fit contextually as a logical antecedent to his more recent unplugged and improvisation-centric ...

4
Liner Notes

Jean-Luc Ponty: Individual Choice

Read "Jean-Luc Ponty: Individual Choice" reviewed by Peter Rubie


By 1982, jazz violinist Jean-Luc Ponty had established an enviable reputation as a pioneer in jazz-rock and jazz fusion. He began as a young bebop player in the late 1950s with little interest in becoming another swing or gypsy style violinist. It was the “sheets of sound" music of John Coltrane that spoke loudest to him. By the early 1970s Ponty was recording and touring with rock composer Frank Zappa, and playing with John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra, as well as ...

15
Album Review

Allan Holdsworth & Alan Pasqua: Proto-Cosmos

Read "Proto-Cosmos" reviewed by Jim Worsley


If the song title “Proto-Cosmos" brings Tony Williams to mind then step to the front of the class. Alan Pasqua's tune is featured on the drummer's 1975 album, Believe It (Columbia). The record is considered by some to be the best fusion album of all time. In addition to Pasqua and bassist Tony Newton, a young British guitarist named Allan Holdsworth introduced himself to the masses. Fast forward to 2022 and it has been five and a half years since ...

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Radio & Podcasts

The release of Proto Cosmos from the late Allan Holdsworth, plus Mark Lettieri and Gillaume Barroud

Read "The release of Proto Cosmos from the late Allan Holdsworth, plus Mark Lettieri and Gillaume Barroud" reviewed by Len Davis


The release of Proto Cosmos from the late Allan Holdsworth. New music from Mark Lettieri, Billy Cobham and Sixun. World music from Dhafer Youssef and Guillaume Barraud, from Melbourne The JaimZ Project.Playlist Allan Holdsworth “Looking Glass" from Proto Cosmos (Blue Canoe) 00:00 Robben Ford-Bill Evans sax “Passaic" from Common Ground (MPS/Edel Music) 05:36 Robert Walter “Security" from Better Feathers (Royal Potato Family) 11:18 Mark Lettieri “Duster" from Fly Through It (GroundUp Music) 16:55 Billy Cobham “Seven Eight “ ...

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Album Review

Nucleus: Nucleus Live at the BBC

Read "Nucleus Live at the BBC" reviewed by Maurizio Comandini


Dio salvi la regina. E la BBC. L'emittente di stato britannica ha capito fin da subito che da quelle belle energie musicali, che spuntavano come l'erba di Hyde Park sotto al tiepido sole di quelle latitudini, passavano le scelte esistenziali e culturali delle nuove generazioni e sin dagli anni sessanta ha dato ampio spazio alla musica, premiando non solo il pop ma anche le proposte più articolate e di nicchia e ha conservato in archivio una buona parte di quelle ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Allan Holdsworth, Niacin, Brand X, Steps Ahead and Yellowjackets

Read "Allan Holdsworth, Niacin, Brand X, Steps Ahead and Yellowjackets" reviewed by Len Davis


We remember the late Allan Holdsworth on his birthday. The choice of three tunes from the late guitarist have been selected by Richard Hallebeek from the Netherlands, Alex Machacek from the US and Brett Garsed from Australia, and we thank them for their contribution. We also have Cab with Bunny Brunel, Dennis Chambers and Tony McAlpine, plus Niacin and Brand X. Playlist Allan Holdsworth} “Low Levels High Stakes" from Hard Hat Area (Restless) 00:00 Allan Holdsworth “Ruhkukah" from ...

Album Review

Soft Works: Abracadabra in Osaka

Read "Abracadabra in Osaka" reviewed by Claudio Bonomi


«Nel 2000 mi venne questa pazza idea di aiutare il mio vecchio amico Elton Dean a organizzare una reunion dei leggendari Soft Machine...» Inizia così il racconto di Leonardo Pavkovic, patron della Moonjune Records, al giornalista Chris M. Slawecki di All About Jazz sulla genesi dei Soft Works, quartetto composto da Elton Dean, Allan Holdsworth, Hugh Hopper e John Marshall che, nel 2002, diede alle stampe l'album Abracadabra. Allora, si trattò di una delle prime reincarnazioni ...

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Website

All About Jazz Top 10 Songs: December 2022

All About Jazz Top 10 Songs: December 2022

Source: All About Jazz

All About Jazz features a free song every day spanning all genres of jazz, and of the songs featured in December, these ten represent our reader's favorites as indicated by total listens. Musicians and record labels can submit full length MP3s for consideration here. Enjoy! Top Songs Blues For Tony Allan Holdsworth & Alan Pasqua From: Proto-Cosmos 09:27 A Long Journey Giuseppe Magagnino From: My Inner Child 08:26 ...

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Event

Allan Holdsworth's Re-Issues Release Party April 4 In Venice, CA

Allan Holdsworth's Re-Issues Release Party April 4 In Venice, CA

Source: Anne Leighton

Manifesto Records is presenting a special record release party for Allan Holdsworth on Tuesday, April 4, at 8:30 PM, at the Del Monte Speakeasy in the Townhouse Venice. Townhouse Venice is at 52 Windward Ave., in Venice Opening is Cameron Morgan This is a 21 and over show Admission is $20 310-392-4040 Allan Holdsworth has two reissue packages coming out on April 7. There is his 12 CD Box Set, The Man ...

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Recording

"Recalled To Life - Chapter One" CD/FLAC/MP3 Album By British Guitarist Steve Robinson Formerly With The Band 'igginbottom Which Also Included Guitarist Allan Holdsworth Now Available From Art Of Life Records.

"Recalled To Life - Chapter One" CD/FLAC/MP3 Album By British Guitarist Steve Robinson Formerly With The Band 'igginbottom Which Also Included Guitarist Allan Holdsworth Now Available From Art Of Life Records.

Source: Art of Life Records

Art of Life Records is proud to present, Recalled to Life-Chapter One, the debut release by British guitarist and composer Steve Robinson. Steve was a member of the British group 'Igginbottom which recorded the album “Igginbottoms Wrench" in 1969 which also included guitarist Allan Holdsworth. Recalled to Life-Chapter One includes ten original compositions by Steve and features Pat Schroeder on drums, Dave Bryant on drums, Steve Zerlin on electric & acoustic bass, Marc Duby on electric bass, Andrew Ford on ...

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Recording

MoonJune Records Sampler: 75 Tunes, Nearly 8 Hours Of Music For Only $5

MoonJune Records Sampler: 75 Tunes, Nearly 8 Hours Of Music For Only $5

Source: MoonJune Records

Progressive Music Exploring Boundaries Of Jazz, Rock, Ethno, Avant & The Unknown 75 tunes from 75 albums on MoonJune Records High-quality download in FLAC or/and MP3-320. A $10 contribution gives you an extra bonus album-download of your choice. A $15 contribution gives you an extra two bonus album-downloads of your choice. A $20 contribution gives you an extra three bonus album-downloads of your choice. “The entire Moonjune catalogue is crammed with goodies: exceptional albums by both established and upcoming musicians. It's agenda? To stoke the ...

Recording

Allan Holdsworth's "FLATTire: Music for a Non-Existent Movie" on CD & Digital Download

Allan Holdsworth's "FLATTire: Music for a Non-Existent Movie" on CD & Digital Download

Source: Chris M. Slawecki

MoonJune Records is once again proud to re-release another classic Allan Holdsworth album, FLATTire. The album is subtitled Music From A Non-Existent Movie, and easily qualifies as one of his most mysterious, yet introspective works. Originally released in 2001, the album had a small print run, received little notice and no fanfare. Comprised predominantly of performances played on his beloved SynthAxe, Holdsworth delivers a set of stunningly beautiful, emotional tunes. “I had just gone through a difficult divorce and was ...

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Recording

MoonJune Records Announces Three New Releases

MoonJune Records Announces Three New Releases

Source: Chris M. Slawecki

Allan Holdsworth: Hard Hat Area (re-mastered): Originally offered in very limited print and distribution in the USA, this great effort has been remastered and repackaged in digipak format (with intriguing new liner notes provided by Barry Cleveland). While the music on Hard Hat Area may seem a logical extension of the sophisticated, highly idiosyncratic style of jazz-fusion that Allan developed on his previous seven albums, it possesses a major difference: It was recorded by the guitarist's touring band, which had ...

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Recording

Chad Wackerman: Dreams, Nightmares and Improvisations - Zappa Drummer Releases New CD Featuring Guitar Legend Allan Holdsworth.

Chad Wackerman: Dreams, Nightmares and Improvisations - Zappa Drummer Releases New CD Featuring Guitar Legend Allan Holdsworth.

Source: Two for the Show Media

"Chad Wackerman has a beautiful ear for harmonies and melodies that lets your inner musician soar, and with  'Dreams, Nightmares and Improvisations' it comes together and expresses his potential as an artist. All the musicians who play on this record are the inspired elite and on this CD they create a magnificent and ethereal listening experience." —Steve Vai Four masters of musical improvisation collaborate on the latest release from esteemed drummer Chad Wackerman. Known for his work with Frank Zappa, ...

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Performance / Tour

Allan Holdsworth, 2012 Tours & Shows Updates

Allan Holdsworth, 2012 Tours & Shows Updates

Source: Chris M. Slawecki

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH to play with JIMMY HASLIP and VIRGIL DONATI—The muscular jazz-rock fusion power trio to perform some oldies but goodies from the Holdsworth's classic repertoire and some new tunes of his own and few tunes of Virgil Donati.

MoonJune recording artist MARBIN to open East of Mississippi USA tour dates. Their critically acclaimed CD Breaking The Cycle features two legendary musicians from the Pat Metheny Hall Of Fame, Steve Rodby on bass and Paul Wertico on drums, but Dani ...

353

Recording

John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman, Allan Holdsworth on Gary Husband's new album

John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman, Allan Holdsworth on Gary Husband's new album

Source: Big Hassle

Gary Husband's new record Dirty & Beautiful Volume One features Mahavishnu Orchestra's John McLaughlin, Jerry Goodman and Jan Hammer—it's the first time they've performed on the same project since the Mahavishnu days. Allan Holdworth, Steve Hackett, Robin Trower and others are on it, too. It's as heavy as a jazz/rock record can get. Over the course of a remarkable, still-unfolding career, Gary Husband has defined himself as the ultimate musician's musician: a fiery, perceptive presence who elevates every scenario—from the ...

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Performance / Tour

Allan Holdsworth / Alan Pasqua / Jimmy Haslip / Chad Wackerman - East Coast Tour

Allan Holdsworth / Alan Pasqua / Jimmy Haslip / Chad Wackerman -  East Coast Tour

Source: All About Jazz

HOLDSWORTH PASQUA HASLIP WACKERMAN EAST COAST USA TOUR Allan Holdsworth guitar Alan Pasqua keyboards * (except January 26) Jimmy Haslip bass guitar Chad Wackerman drums Promoting the upcoming MoonJune Records' release Blues For Tony (double CD). Tour Schedule January 26 – Alexandria, VA (The Birchmere) (this show only: HOLDSWORTH HASLIP WACKERMAN) January 27 – ...

Pete McCann
guitar
Yuval Ron
guitar, electric
Felipe Alonso
guitar, electric
Ray Ferretti
guitar, electric
Dave Howard
guitar, electric
Dave Clark
guitar
Marco Oppedisano
guitar, electric
Jas Miller
guitar
Thomas Dahl
guitar
Steve Robinson
guitar, electric
Beledo
guitar
Bele Beledo
guitar
Haavisto
bass, electric
Jukka Haavisto
bass, electric
Björn Meyer
bass, electric
Organic Noises
band / ensemble / orchestra
The Spice Cabinet
band / ensemble / orchestra
John Irvine
guitar
Keven Eknes
guitar
THREE WISE MONKEYS
guitar, steel
Max Walker
guitar
Denis Krupin
various
Anthony Muthurajah
bass, electric
Alex Hand
guitar
Cobbs
band / ensemble / orchestra
Matt Jardim
guitar
Nastazio Gkoumas
guitar, electric

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

One Of A Kind

Winterfold Records
2023

buy

Proto-Cosmos

Blue Canoe Records
2022

buy

Double Time

Winterfold Records
2020

buy

Rock Goes To College

Winterfold Records
2020

buy

Blues For Tony

From: Proto-Cosmos
By Allan Holdsworth

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