Andy Aledort has been a significant figure in the international music scene over the last 20 years. As a senior editor for the top guitar-oriented music magazines GUITAR WORLD, GUITAR FOR THE PRACTICING MUSICIAN, GUITAR EXTRA, GUITAR LEGENDS, and GUITAR WORLD ACOUSTIC, among others, his work is unsurpassed as a music transcriber, instructional columnist and journalist.
He has authored over 200 books of guitar transcriptions as well as a series of guitar-related instructional books and videos/DVDs, all of which are distributed worldwide, for the leading music publishers Hal Leonard Corp., Warner Brothers Publishing and Cherry Lane Music.
Aledort is a performing musician as well: along with leading his own ensembles in the New York/tri-state area, he is often tapped for high-profile appearances with artists such as Buddy Guy, Dickey Betts, and the Allman Brothers band.
Over the last three years, he has also participated in a series of Jimi Hendrix Tribute concerts, most recently entailing a three-city tour of the west coast. In his April 1, 2004 review for ROLLING STONE, write Charles Cross wrote, “The real show-stopper came when veteran bluesman Buddy Guy, backed by guitarist Andy Aledort and the powerful rhythm section of Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton—a.k.a. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble—played a version of Muddy waters’ ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ that smoldered.
It was the perfect homage to Hendrix.” Among the other artists that appeared on the bill with Aledort for the three shows were Carlos Santana, Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains, and Hubert Sumlin, plus Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys rhythm section, bassist Billy Cox and drummer Mitch Mitchell.
As a session player, Andy Aledort was called upon to recreate the Band Of Gypsys -era playing of Hendrix for recording sessions with the original Gypsys themselves, Billy Cox and drummer Buddy Miles, where Aledort was required to recreate note-for-note renditions of Hendrix’s incendiary live performances of “Machine Gun” and “Power of Soul” from the classic Band of Gypsys album. He performed with the Band of Gypsys at both the 2001 and 2002 Street Scene concerts in San Diego, CA, as part of two ambitious Tribute to Hendrix concerts featuring such guest guitarists as Andy Summers of the Police, Slash, Stephen Stills, Mick Taylor of Rolling Stones fame, Vernon Reid (Living Color) and others, as well as the big Jimi Hendrix 60th birthday bash at the EMP Museum, created by Microsoft’s Paul Allen, in November of 2002.
In the summer of 2001, Aledort was tapped for session work with Double Trouble (Tommy Shannon, bass, and Chris Layton, drums), bandmates of Stevie Ray Vaughan, in order to recreate the guitar work of Stevie Ray, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Freddie King, and Johnny Winter. He also appears with Double Trouble on two Hot Licks instructional videos.
Aledort has begun work on a series of Jimi Hendrix instructional videos (produced by the Jimi Hendrix Estate), starting with the release of the two-hour How to Play the Songs from Are You Experienced? video/DVD in 2000.
He also has the Beginning Electric Blues Guitar video on the shelves, and has just released the B.B. King: Signature Licks instructional DVD; soon to follow are similar instructional videos/DVDs covering the playing styles of Albert King and jazz pioneer Charlie Christian. Aledort’s many instructional books include Jimi Hendrix: Signature Licks, Eric Clapton: Bluesman: Signature Licks and Blues/Rock Guitar Masters: Signatures Licks books, all published by the Hal Leonard Corporation.
With his group the Groove Kings, Aledort released the self-produced Put A Sock In It CD in 1999 to rave reviews, such as: “I love it—it’s great!”—Johnny Winter; “Great guitar playing. Andy has his own distinct sound.”—Tommy Shannon; “Andy plays with great technique and soul.”—Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine); “Andy has the ability to combine diverse stylistic elements to emerge with a unique musical voice.” –Mike Stern (Miles Davis). The band is currently recording their second studio album. ~
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page (available in over 50 languages). I will not relay senseless nonsense. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here
