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Alex Sill
Alex Sill with Kesel Guitar
Background information
Born1992 (age 31–32)
Genresjazz
Instrumentsguitar
Years active2011–present
Associated actsSimon Phillips, Lee Ritenour
WebsiteOfficial website

Alex Sill is a Los Angeles based jazz guitarist.[1] He is a member of Simon Phillips' Protocol,[2] and a rostered artist with Kiesel Guitars.[3] Prior bands include Alex Sill Quintet and the Trifield Guitar Project.[4] In 2021, Guitar Techniques Magazine ran a six part series featuring Sill's instructions on jazz improvisation.[5]

Education and background

Bachelor's in Jazz Studies, California Institute of The Arts (2015), Lew Wasserman Scholarship Recipient (2013-14) After graduation, Sill mentored jazz combos at Calabasas High School, competing in the Reno Jazz Festival.[6][7] Sill is the grandson of music producer Lester Sill, his father Lonnie, is also an music industry executive.

Sill's early influences include Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Mike Oldfield, and mentor Steve Vai.[8] Jazz influences include Allan Holdsworth, Steely Dan, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Michael Brecker, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Keith Jarrett.[1]

Awards

Year Category Institution or publication Result Notes Citation
2011 Jazz Award Louis Armstrong Won Notes
2012 Rock Award Lee Ritenour Won SIX STRING THEORY Competition -- Rock [9]

Discography

  • Montana Suite (August 26, 2013) (as the Trifield Guitar Project)[10][11]
  • Experiences: Real and Imaginary (May 10, 2019)[12]

Filmography

  • In 2016, Sill played Jay Perkins, brother to rockabilly guitarist Carl Perkins (played by Dustin Ingram) in Million Dollar Quartet. [13] The miniseries aired on CMT, titled as, Sun Records in the spring of 2017.

Ensembles

Trifield Guitar Project (2013)

ABC FOX Interview August 2013- Trifield Guitar Project

After meeting in 2012, at the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival in Bigfork, Montana, guitarists Karl Marino (classical), Rami Halperin (blues/rock) and Alex Sill (jazz) won their respective categories and formed the Trifield Guitar Project.

Returning to the festival in 2013, the group dropped their first album, the Montana Suite with the help of Ben Shepherd on bass and Wesley Ritenour on drums.[10]


Alex Sill Quintet

Alex Sill Quintet- Live @ Blue Whale- August 2016

A compilation featuring music by Alex Sill. Filmed/Recorded at the Blue Whale jazz club in Los Angeles- August 2016 by Alex Chaloff.

Alan Holdsworth (tribute performances)

Non Brewed Condiment- Allan Holdsworth Tribute Concerts

Recorded at the Allan Holdsworth Tribute Concerts in October 2017 at the Baked Potato Jazz Club in Los Angeles. Featuring: Alex Sill (guitar), Virgil Donati (drums), Steve Hunt (keys), and Jimmy Johnson (bass).

Simon Phillips’ Protocol

Japan Tour June 2019- Simon Phillips' Protocol

Sill was noticed by Simon Phillips while filling in for the late Alan Holdsworth at a memorial performance with the surviving members of Holdsworth's band.[14][15][16] Sill joined Protocol in 2019.[2][17]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Pacent, Nina (2019-05-22). "From Carl Jung to Lady Gaga, Jazz Guitarist Alex Sill's Music Speaks His Mind". BMI.com. Archived from the original on 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Alex Sill, Simon Phillips: Protocol - Announcing the new lineup for 2019!". Truth In Shredding. Archived from the original on 2019-07-11. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  3. "Kiesel Guitars Artists". Kiesel Guitars. Archived from the original on 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  4. "The Trifield Quintet with Very Special Guest - Lee Ritenour". Vibrato Grill Jazz. 2015-08-16. Archived from the original on 2019-07-11. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  5. Bishop, Jon (2021-02-01). "Alex Sill Video Masterclass". Guitar Techniques. Alex Sill Video Masterclass. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  6. "OFFICIAL RESULTS Reno Jazz Festival 2018" (PDF). University of Nevada, Reno. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-08-07. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  7. "CHS MUSIC STAFF & COACHES". 2019-07-08. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  8. "Alex Sill - Experiences: Real and Imaginary". Daily Play MPE®. 2019-05-16. Archived from the original on 2019-08-05. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  9. "Lee Ritenour's SIX STRING THEORY Competition -- Past Winners". sixstringtheory.com. Archived from the original on 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2019-06-19. 2012 Guitar Category Winners -- Alex Sill, Rock, USA
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Trifield Guitar Project, New Virtuoso Trio, Readies Debut Album "Montana Suite"". Top40-Charts.com. 2013-08-26. Archived from the original on 2019-08-10. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
  11. Montana Suite at AllMusic
  12. "Experiences: Real and Imaginary - Alex Sill - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
  13. "'Million Dollar Quartet' wraps production: 'It can only be shot in Memphis'". The Commercial Appeal. 2016-07-08. Archived from the original on 2019-06-20. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
  14. "A Jazz Show: Podcast 687: A Conversation with Alex Sill". Straight No Chaser. 2019-07-01. Archived from the original on 2019-08-07. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  15. "Allan Holdsworth Memorial Concert". Alvas Showroom. Archived from the original on 2019-08-07. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  16. "Tribute To Allan Holdsworth". The Baked Potato. 2017-09-15. Archived from the original on 2019-08-07. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  17. "simon phillips". bella concerts. Archived from the original on 2019-04-17. Retrieved 2019-08-07.