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Setup/Gear/Manufacturer of Instruments:
Ibanez PM-120, Fender Twin Reverb Amp, Music Man JP-6, Martin 1978 D-35
Why did you begin studying music?
I grew up in a very musical household and was exposed to lots of great music growing up. My mother is a great singer and my dad has been in the music business for over thirty years, in addition to being a former saxophone player. Through all the exposure to different music, I became fascinated by the different effects certain music would produce within me, both imaginatively and emotionally.
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Guitarist Alex SillLocated in West Hills, CA, USA
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What are you doing with music right now?
I am currently a student in the Cal Arts Jazz Program and play frequently with my own group: www.trifieldguitarproject.com
My group has been performing at numerous jazz clubs around town lately including the Baked Potato, Vitello’s, and Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Jazz. We’ve performed with several special guests including Lee Ritenour and piano virtuoso Vardan Ovsepian.
In addition to my love for improvisation, I’m also very involved with composing.
Who are some of your influences?
Lyle Mays, Pat Metheny, Allan Holdsworth, Steely Dan, John Coltrane, Guthrie Govan, Chick Corea, Charles Altura, Steve Vai, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Julian Lage, Keith Jarrett, Jonathan Kreisberg, Carl Jung, Albert Einstein, and John F. Kennedy-just to name a few 🙂
Who do you/have you studied with?
I am currently studying with jazz guitar great Larry Koonse at Cal Arts, and as of late, have also been receiving mentorship from Lyle Mays. I’ve also studied and/or performed with Steve Vai, Charlie Haden, Lee Ritenour, Joe LaBarbera, Sonny Emory, Melvin Lee Davis and Vardan Ovsepian.
What do you plan on doing with music in the future?
I plan on continuing to perform with my own group, hopefully someday on a global scale, and devote as much energy as possible to these ventures. If any other music related project/job opportunity comes along that interests me, I will most certainly take it, whether it means being a sideman in a band or composing music for Film/TV.
Any additional information you would like to add?
Awards/Accolades:
-Winner of Rock Category in Lee Ritenour’s 2012 International Six String Theory Guitar Competition and one of three top finalists overall in the contest. The competition involved hundreds of applicants from over 50 different countries, and was judged by jazz greats including Lee Ritenour, Julian Lage, and Dave Grusin.
-Recipient of Louis Armstrong Jazz Award (2011)
-Recently composed a piece entitled “Montana Suite,” commissioned for the 2013 Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival in Montana. The composition was written for three guitars, and was performed during an opening set for Robben Ford. Other performers at the festival included Pat Metheny and Lee Ritenour. “Montana Suite,” is part of an album of the same name, which is now available on iTunes, Amazon, and other major outlets for purchase.
-Was a member of the great Charlie Haden’s Cal Arts Liberation Music Orchestra in 2013. Rest in peace, dear Charlie!
-Commissioned to compose and record music in 2010 for the independent film “Smitty,” which starred Peter Fonda and Lou Gossett Jr. The recording sessions included major L.A. studio players such as drummer John Ferraro.
-I’m also in the process of arranging and recording music for another independent film entitled “Saved in America,” a documentary about one woman’s journey to save the lives of animals in high kill shelters, and her successful attempts to ameliorate the problem of pet overpopulation.
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