HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (Sept. 13, 2007) – Yamaha Guitars is pleased to welcome guitarist Alex Skolnick and bassist Nathan Peck from the Alex Skolnick trio to the Yamaha family. These two artists make up a band that brings together the worlds of metal and traditional jazz in an unprecedented blend.
"We are honored to have such innovative artists on our roster. Alex and Nathan are truly blurring musical boundaries," comments Mike Tempesta, Artist Relations Manager for Yamaha Guitars.
Front man Skolnick, a heavy metal turned jazz guitarist, is playing an L series
LLX26C acoustic with prototype ART pickup system. Skolnick was the lead guitarist for the metal band Testament in the '90s before deciding to form his jazz trio in 2001.
Peck, who joined the trio in 2003, is playing a
BB615 bass. Before joining Skolnick's band, he played bass for such notable jazz musicians as Maynard Ferguson and Maria Maldaur.
The Alex Skolnick Trio is known for their jazz arrangements of heavy metal and hard rock standards, a theory that eventually expanded to covering a wide range of musical styles including swing, funk and Latin.
Skolnick is also the lead guitarist for the Trans Siberian Orchestra.
The trio is gearing up for some shows in October supporting Rodrigo Y Gabriela on the West and East coasts. Skolnick, who has played with Rodrigo Y Gabriela on several occasions, got some camera time during a recent profile of Rodrigo Y Gabriela on MTV's "52/52" campaign. He was featured in their jamming session of the special that aired throughout the week of Aug. 20.
Alex Skolnick Trio's latest album Last Day In Paradise is available now on Magnatude Records. More information on the band can be found at
www.alexskolnick.com.
