Author Archives: baldpomegranatenixon

Celebrating John McLaughlin (born January 4, 1942), an English guitarist whose 1970s electric band, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, performed a complex style of music that fused electric jazz and rock with Indian influences.

Celebrating Kat Dyson (January 3, 1960), an American guitarist born in Virginia, best known for her work with Prince as a member of The New Power Generation, along with friend, bassist Rhonda Smith. She composes music for television and film and has also worked with Cyndi Lauper, Sheila E., Keb Mo’, Jeff Healey, and in …

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Celebrating Ellas McDaniel (born Ellas Otha Bates, December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known as Bo Diddley, an American guitarist who played a key role in early Rock and Roll. His use of African rhythms and a signature beat, a simple five-accent hambone rhythm, is a cornerstone in a number of musical styles.

Celebrating Freddie King (September 3, 1934 – December 28, 1976), an American blues guitarist from Gilmer, TX, known as one of the “Three Kings” of electric blues guitar, along with Albert King and B.B. King.

Celebrating John Scofield (born December 26, 1951), often referred to as “Sco”, an American jazz-rock guitarist born in Dayton, OH, whose playing spans bebop, jazz fusion, funk, blues, soul, and rock.

Celebrating Curtis Lee Mayfield (June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999), an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Chicago, IL, and an influential musician in soul music and politically conscious African-American music. He first achieved recognition with The Impressions, and later worked as a solo artist.

Celebrating Julian Lage (born December 25, 1987), an American guitarist from Santa Rosa, CA, who at 12 performed for the 2000 Grammy Awards. Three years later, he became a faculty member of the Stanford Jazz Workshop at Stanford University. Lage has been nominated for several Grammy Awards.

Celebrating Tony Rice, born David Anthony Rice, (June 8, 1951 – December 25, 2020), an American guitarist and bluegrass musician from Danville, Virginia.

Celebrating Derek Bailey (January 29, 1930 – December 25, 2005), an English avant-garde guitarist and leading figure in the free improvisation movement.

Celebrating Badi Assad (born December 23, 1966), a Brazilian guitarist in the jazz and worldbeat genres.