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Axel Schultheiss

Axel Schultheiss has developed a unique musical language, which enthuses critics from around the world. It's his aestetics, his musicality and his deep emotional quality which runs like a golden thread throgh his music which feeds itself from New Age and Jazz, from archaic and far-eastern sounds, from improvisation and composition – always fascinating and full of magic moments

Rhythmic energy, spheric soundscapes and long melodic lines are striking characteristics of a voyage which evokes manifold pictures – an eciting and intense soundtrip deeply touching the soul and always shaped by sensitive intensity and passion.

He plays concerts both in Germany and abroad, leads workshops, writes guitarbooks und has released several CD’s worldwide. His music has been used for several film- and TV-productions.

It was at the age of fifteen, when he was fascinated by the sound of steel string acoustic guitars for the first time. He began composing his own music and formed a guitar duo, that played concerts all over Germany. In 1985 his first record “Guitaristic Paintings” was released. Beginning in the middle of the nineties he has been concentrating on solo acoustic guitar playing in combination with the delicate use of delays, liveloops, and other electronic effects, which lead to the CD’s “Free Mind” and “Departure”- highly individual music without musical borders. “The Uplift” was released in 2007. On this solo guitar album Schultheiss develops surprising aspects between percussive grooves, experimental sounds and melodious ballads. In 2009 “on wings” was released. With it’s trancelike, athmospheric and at the same time exciting compositions it opened a new chapter. Shortly after it’s release “on wings” reached the Top10 in the USA.

Axel Schultheiss plays concerts both in Germany and abroad, leads workshops, writes guitarbooks und has released several CD’s worldwide. His music is used for film- and TV-productions.

Gear

James Goodall RS, James Goodall RSC (both equiped with a LR Baggs Lyric Acoustic Mic running into a LR Baggs Venue DI) Fender FSR TBX Boost Player Stratocaster,

Take Five With Axel Schultheiss

by Axel Schultheiss
August 30, 2013

Meet Axel Schultheiss: I started playing the guitar at 15 and soon got into finger-style guitar when I heard players like Leo Kottke. Shortly after this I started to compose my own music and played concerts. My sound began to emerge more and more once I started combing acoustic finger-style techniques with delay and loop pedals. I mainly play solo concerts but I also have some great duo and trio projects. Instrument(s):Electric and acoustic guitars.

"Axel Schultheiss is not only technically capable and eager to expand the boundaries of the guitar, but also has an intuitive sense of melody and knows how to connect head and heart ." —All About Jazz.com, USA

"Axel Schultheiss is a wizard who balances on a high wire with incredible competence... it’s a special joy, a really special experience." —jazzpodium, GER

"Highly evocative and mesmeriting in an ambient sort of way." —AcousticGuitar; USA

"...driving rhythms...spirited improvisations...mastery of melody and harmonic movements...a masterful guitarist and composer who can call to mind moods ranging from fear and sadness to uninhibited joy