Allan Holdsworth

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British guitarist Allan Holdsworth (born Aug 6, 1946 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England) occupies a legendary status among players of his instrument. Most of his work has been in the realm of electric jazz fusion and progressive rock, though he has also dabbled in more straight-ahead rock and jazz. Aside from many solo albums, he has performed with Bill Bruford (both in his band and in UK), Soft Machine, Gong, Tony Williams, Jean-Luc Ponty, and many others.

He is known for his unusual technique, which is filled with unusual chord voicings and legato melodies of great harmonic sophistication. Many guitarists, including Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai have lauded him as a master. He has also been a pioneer in the use of guitar synthesizers. Holdsworth was also Frank Zappa’s favorite guitarist.

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fusion, jazz, guitar, jazz fusion, progressive rock
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Pobinr wrote:
Thursday morning

Hope you come to Southampton UK again soon Allan.

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Viper1991 wrote:
last month

seeing him at kuumbwa jazz club in santa cruz on january 6th! wonder if he'll sign something... god that'd be awesome.

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crazytribe wrote:
last month

Seriously.

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tkarakurt wrote:
September 2009

He's amazing guitarist !!

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denpotfm wrote:
September 2009

f.thordendal too close

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VerrucktsAl wrote:
August 2009

it sucks. allan was playing in nyc, but i couldn't go see him. the venue was 21+ only -_-

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jonas58 wrote:
August 2009

Which album of his should I get into first?

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Reptl wrote:
June 2009

One of the most incredible guitar player today Frank Zappa said about him he was an "alien" an Zappa was Zappa... When a concert in Spain...?

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C_Shadow wrote:
June 2009

What a superior musician. His shredding skills are as outstanding as his unique chords / scales.

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whyteboi101 wrote:
May 2009

does he ever come to Canada?

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Abort3d wrote:
May 2009

Go dad! :)

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MarkoRaguz wrote:
April 2009

Allan is a very kind human being. I got to meet him here a few years ago after a show in Cleveland and get a picture with him. His playing and music come from such a strange and beautiful place. I bought his REH video and almost cried after I watched it.. A very special, one-of-a-kind musician.

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AudiophiliaX wrote:
April 2009

Geez, I guess nobody will ever reach such proportions of guitar technique and improvisation, what a monster ! I wouldn't say that AH is godlike, it is God who's AH-like

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GrantRS wrote:
April 2009

re Mr LJM: "I was surprised that The Mighty Boosh appreciate him (Julian Barrett says that Allan was all he listened to at some point)." I saw Julian Barrett at one of Holdsworth's gigs. There was no one else there so obviously into the music as he was.

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HardRockZombiez wrote:
April 2009

I'm seeing him live again soon and It'll be my 3rd time. So excited!

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ahab666 wrote:
April 2009

seen him several times - no doubt he is the most important guitar player so far - not only because of his technique - his composer and arranger skills are outstanding too

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jessicasummer wrote:
March 2009

I've seen Alan live three times. One of the best guitarists I've ever witnessed. Seeing him live five feet away was mesmerizing

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MarcosRV wrote:
March 2009

Probably the guitarist with the most steady hands in music.

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gakko wrote:
March 2009

That´s probably because many guitar players have more interest in themselves than in the actual instrument. I told a canadian guitarist about Allan Holdsworth a while ago, and he denied his greatness AFTER telling me that he had never heard him even once! Now, how about that!

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Viper1991 wrote:
March 2009

I find it funny how little guitarists have actually heard of him even though many of the top tier ones cite him as an influence.

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