2013 Guest Artists

Our guest artists share their knowledge and experiences with our students while visiting classes, conducting clinics, and performing concerts. Past Guest Artists include: Joe Satriani, Alex Lifeson (Rush), Robben Ford, John Scofield, Steve Vai, Randy Bachman, Paul Gilbert, Andy Summers (The Police), Billy Sheehan, Pierre Bensusan, John Petrucci (Dream Theater), John Abercrombie, Duke Robillard, Andy Timmons, Mike Stern, John Knowles, Rik Emmett, John Jorgenson, Sue Foley, Jennifer Batten, Tony McManus, Orianthi, Paul DeLong, Tommy Emmanuel, Guthrie Govan and more….. This Years Guest Artists Include:

Andy McKee (Toronto – Session 1)

Andy McKee’s imaginative and masterful approach to the instrument is helping to redefine our conception of acoustic guitar. Andy’s acoustic guitar can approximate the polyrhythmic interplay of a percussion ensemble, the harmonic sweep of a string section, the dazzling runs of a bluegrass doghouse bass-and-banjo duo, and virtually anything else his pastoral compositions and tasteful covers require. In 9 years and 5 records, he’s written an oeuvre that globally inspires and intrigues music fans. Andy was awarded Acoustic Guitar Magazine’s esteemed worldwide silver medal award for his fingerstyle approach. Recently he’s garnered plum exposure playing with Prince in sold out arena shows in Australia. He has toured two different continents with Dream Theater and with one of his hero’s, Eric Johnson, where he’s been able to share his unique artistry with a wide and diverse audience. His robust 200 dates-a-year tour itinerary and his fans-first commitment, make him a worldwide ambassador for a new era in acoustic virtuosity. Acoustic students will love working with this master of the dreadnaught.

Mike Stern (Toronto – Session 2)

In a career that spans three decades and a discography that includes more than a dozen eclectic and innovative recordings, six-time Grammy nominee Mike Stern has established himself as one of the premier jazz and jazz-fusion guitarists and composers of his generation. In addition to his incredible body of work as a solo artist, Mike has played and recorded with Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, Billy Cobham, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Marcus Miller, Bill Evans, David Sanborn, Dave Weckl, Dennis Chambers, and Michael Brecker, among other high-profile innovators. Since his earliest recordings he has grafted elements of rock, blues, soul and more to his solid jazz foundations. He has been named Best Jazz Guitarist Of The Year by the readers and critics of Guitar Player and was presented with Guitar Player magazine’s Certified Legend Award in 2012. His latest solo release was nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album.

Gary Hoey (Vancouver Session)

With a collection of 18 albums and a #5 Billboard Rock hit with “Hocus Pocus,” it’s no wonder Gary Hoey is listed as one of the top 100 guitarists of all time. Gary has toured and traded licks with the likes of Jeff Beck, Brian May of Queen, Ted Nugent, Joe Satriani, The Doobie Brothers, Foreigner, Styx, Steve Vai, Peter Frampton, and Dick Dale. Hoey recently produced and co-wrote Lita Ford’s latest release. In 2013, the world renowned rock guitarist takes on the Blues with his new album “Deja Blues.” Check out this video message from Gary about his upcoming visit with us.

Tosin Abasi (Toronto – Session 1)

One of the bright new stars in the guitar galaxy, Tosin Abasi is best known as the guitarist and founding member of the instrumental progressive metal band Animals as Leaders. Before founding Animals as Leaders, he was the guitarist for the technical metalcore band Reflux. Tosin has recently been making material with his new band T.R.A.M., consisting of Animals as Leaders alumnus Javier Reyes, Suicidal Tendencies drummer, Eric Moore, and former Mars Volta wind instrumentalist, Adrian Terrazas. He has recorded and released two albums with Animals as Leaders, was featured as a cover story in Guitar World magazine along with Steve Vai, and has been turning heads on the guitar scene for the past few years.

Rhonda Smith (Toronto – Session 1)

With an enviable career that has spanned over two decades, bass player Rhonda Smith encapsulates all the attributes of a legend in the making.   A gifted vocalist and confessional singer/songwriter, Rhonda is one of music’s greatest treasures. In addition to the near decade she spent recording and touring alongside Prince, Rhonda has performed with the likes of Chaka Khan, Beyonce, T. I., Erykah Badu, Patti Austin, Patrice Rushen, Brenda Russell, Lee Ritenour, Larry Graham, Patti Labelle, Little Richard, Justin Timberlake, Najee, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum and George Clinton. Rhonda also recently toured with guitar legend, Jeff Beck. She has released two solo albums, has won a Juno award and appeared on the covers of Bass Player and Bassics magazines. It is clear that Rhonda Smith is a musical anomaly.  Her uncanny ability to communicate her every emotion through her music has made her a highly sought after musician and artist.  Her tireless work ethic, focus, and desire to be better than good has fueled her two decades in the spotlight.

Dave Martone (Toronto Session 2 & Vancouver)

Dave has been featured in Guitar Player, Guitar World and Guitar One Magazine where he was voted one of the top 4 underground shredders in North America! In addition to six solo albums and two live concert DVD’s, he has appeared on countless compilation albums. Dave garnered the attention of many when his band, Martone, opened tour dates for Joe Satriani. Dave has also worked with Jennifer Batten, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Chad Kroeger, and many others. He has authored two instructional books to date and has a new live DVD coming out in 2013. Check out this video from Dave about his upcoming courses with us.

Stuart Hamm (Vancouver Session)

Through  his  innovative  work  as  a  solo  artist  and  his  contributions as  a  sideman  to  the likes of Joe Satriani, Steve  Vai, and Eric Johnson, Stuart Hamm  has  firmly  established  himself  as  one  of  the  most   influential  electric  bassists  of  the  past  half century.  Extending  the  non-traditional  function   of  the  electric  bass  previously  revolutionized  by  Jaco  Pastorius  and  Stanley  Clarke,  Stuart helped  to  reshape  the  contemporary  concept  of  the  bass  guitar  as  an   unaccompanied  instrument  with  the  utilization  of  polyphonic,  two-handed  tapping,   slapping  and  popping  techniques,  chords,  and  harmonics.  Stuart has  received  an  extensive  list  of  accolades  such  as  being  voted  “Best  Jazz   Bassist”  two  years  in  a  row  and  “Best  Rock  Bassist”  three  years  in  a  row  by   Guitar  Player   Magazine,  becoming  the  only  bassist  to  win  the  award  in  both  genres  and  at  the  same   time.

Jon Finn (Toronto – Session 1)

The Jon Finn Group has internationally released several CD’s and has built a solid fan-base worldwide among instrumental rock guitar enthusiasts. His band has opened for Dream Theater, Jeff Beck, Edgar Winter, and many more. Jon has authored several instructional books including the best selling ‘Advanced Modern Rock Guitar Improvisation’ and has also been a columnist for some of the major guitar magazines. His versatility has allowed him to play alongside Steve Morse, Steve Gadd, Steven Tyler, Vince Gill, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Andy Timmons, Stu Hamm, Gloria Estefan, and John Petrucci among others.

Larnell Lewis (Toronto – Session 2)

Larnell Lewis was first introduced to drums in church at a very young age. This is where he began to learn to play a variety of styles including gospel music. He worked tirelessly to not only develop his understanding of rhythm, but also studied electric bass and piano to further his knowledge of the melodic and harmonic aspects of music making. During his time at Humber College, Larnell was the recipient of the Oscar Peterson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music, the highest award given by the institution. Although his roots lay in gospel music, Larnell is known for his ability to accurately execute a variety of musical styles. As a result, over the last few years, he has been called upon to perform with a wide range of artists/musicians such as Fred Hammond, Michael Brecker, Dave Leibman, Steve Gadd, Dave Holland, Tim Ries (Rolling Stones), Salome Bey, Phil Dwyer, Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale, Glenn Lewis, Jully Black, Matt Dusk, and many others.

Robert Godin (Session – TBA)

Our students will spend some time with one of the guitar world’s most prolific and imaginative guitar designers. Find out what to look for in your next guitar and take an inside look at some of Godin’s latest creations.