Bolstered by his family’s background, Alex Sill began playing guitar and piano at age 12 and progressed briskly, amassing both prestigious awards and acclaimed mentors over the following decade. Sometimes, like when Sill earned a top spot in Lee Ritenour’s international Six String Theory Competition, the two intersected. Other important teachers and heroes have included Larry Koonse, who inspired Sill to enroll at CalArts, and Steve Vai, who has said that “Alex Sill is one of those rare talented individuals that has all the elements in place.” In 2017 and 2018, Sill was chosen to pay homage to the late Allan Holdsworth in a series of official tribute concerts, playing alongside Holdsworth band veterans Virgil Donati, Jimmy Johnson, Steve Hunt, Joel Taylor and Chad Wackerman. During a set opening for Robben Ford in 2013, Sill premiered “Montana Suite,” a longform piece he composed for three guitars; he’s also written for disciplines including film score, rock band and orchestra. Lauded by Guitar Techniques Magazine as a “wunderkind,” and “a true master,” the publication featured Alex’s playing in a seven-issue instructional and interview series released throughout 2021. In 2019, Alex released his debut solo album Experiences: Real and Imaginary, featuring all original compositions and arrangements, and musical luminaries such as Grammy and Academy Award-winning pianist and composer Dave Grusin. Engineered and mixed by the multi-Grammy winning Bill Schnee, the album also features some of LA’s best jazz musicians (see press release below for details).
