"Alex Sill is one of those rare talented individuals that has all the elements in place, and at the age of 22! (?)… He has a wonderful command of the compositional tools necessary to recognize his inner musical inspirations and make them real in the world in beautiful and generous expressions while still honoring the melody…He is one of the vital players that has the potential to raise the Jazz bar."
- Steve Vai
“A wunderkind...a true master.”
-Guitar Techniques Magazine
"Alex Sill is one of the new lions emerging into the virtuoso group of young players. He's a guitarist who's destined to be in the front line. His talent on his instrument is phenomenal, and his dedication & hard work to master it began at a young age, and has never faltered. He has absorbed the ‘cultural’ history of the guitar, and will obviously be a cutting edge contributor to the continued evolution of this axe. His solo playing shows his maturity, way beyond his age. And maybe most important, we can hear how much he loves what he's playing. A musical slam dunk."
-Dave Grusin
(Grammy/Oscar Award Winning Film Composer & Jazz Pianist)
Reviews for Protocol V
“Alex Sill aptly steps into Greg Howe’s shoes and is on fire…he is a force to be reckoned with on guitar…that combination of Sill and Jacob Scesney work magic…a great listen from start to finish.”
-Sea of Tranquility
“This is exquisitely rich instrumental music that blends jazz and rock with fresh ideas and approaches. If you hanker for modern fusion with muscular musicianship, this is the most fitting album so far this year!”
-Guitar Techniques magazine
"…an engaging concoction that offers plenty of pleasures and surprising twists.”
-Jazz Times
“Protocol V is a MUST HAVE for fusion lovers and beyond!”
-The Jazz Word
Guitar Techniques Magazine Featured Series
Coming to a newsstand and online store near you! Now available in full, beginning with issue 321, is Alex’s seven-part instructional and interview series for Guitar Techniques Magazine, one of the world’s leading guitar publications. In addition to six different instructional videos outlining Alex’s thoughts on technique, harmony and music theory, the magazines include detailed transcriptions of all the material. Digital copies are available by clicking HERE, and print copies can be purchased HERE. Check out the gallery below for some preview images from the magazine.
Press and Reviews for Experiences: Real and Imaginary
Album of the Month in Guitar Techniques Magazine January 2021 Issue
“Album rating- 10/10- L.A.-based Alex Sill is quite a musician. Known for his Holdsworthian legato style he is now the guitarist in Simon Phillips’ lauded band Protocol (visit YouTube for his blinding solo on Narmada). While his rock-fusion side has developed quite a following, this release sees him in a more personal format in acoustic based set ups. His jazz influenced compositions are richly varied, sounding simultaneously modern and traditional, with a strong Pat Metheny Band-esque vibe to the sound and surrounded by some of L.A.’s finest musicians. Opener, 21st Century Alchemy is vibrant; guitar and sax taking centre stage, solos intertwining. Jackie is all acoustic with a beautifully laid-back vibe, guitars weaving in and out of the band. The Activity pairs overdrive guitar with sax, but Alex stretches out a little more here, displaying sophisticated and technical vocabulary that belies his 20-something age. The 10-minute plus The Ballad of James Dean is quite a journey, sonically reminiscent at times of early Blue Note releases. The broad nature of Alex’s music is very cinematic and vivid with imagery. Unique and intriguing, this debut is for those keen on rich musicianship with exceptionally tasty guitar performances.”
Click the image to the left to read Alex’s full May 2019 interview in BMI’s “Music World” publication where he discusses the inspiration behind his debut album, the album’s connection with Steely Dan’s album Aja, a surprise performance with Lady Gaga, and more.
“I first became aware of Alex Sill in 2012 when he won the Rock Guitar division in our International Six String Theory Guitar Competition. Since those early days, Alex has evolved with his own style, blending progressive jazz, rock, and a fine sense of composition & orchestration. He possesses a phenomenal technique and now has evolved with his first record with a mature sound, unique lead guitar voice & a great blend of tunes & guitar virtuosity. Do you self a favor and check out Experiences: Real and Imaginary by Alex Sill! Some very cool, & fresh music!!
-Lee Ritenour
(Multi-Grammy Award Winning Guitarist & Composer)
“The best GRP album we haven’t heard in years… Music that is very often cinematic in scope, as if it were the soundtrack to an imaginary movie.”
-Straight No Chaser Podcast
Click here to listen to Alex’s interview on the Straight No Chaser Podcast
“Rich, thoughtful and modern ideas…Ambitious, but highly accessible all throughout.”
-Jazz Weekly
“…Alex Sill is a talented composer and imaginative guitarist. His work with Simon Phillips’ Protocol starts a new chapter in his career, but Experiences: Real and Imaginary proves his meddle as a band leader… Check out his songs ‘The Ballad of James Dean’ and ‘To a Theater Near You,’ and be prepared to be impressed.”
-Something Else! Reviews
"It's flat out killer stuff throughout.”
- Midwest Record Recap
"He is certainly technically astute on his instrument and more than capable of playing just about anything."
- Musical Memoirs
“Alex Sill is able to provide the listener with enough musical images to fill a scrapbook… this album is an experience that we won’t ever forget. ‘The Ballad of James Dean’ …a vivid expression of a song that could be played during a scene of East of Eden… ‘To a Theater Near You’ may be this album’s stand out moment…feels like the perfect soundtrack to a film’s closing credits…”
-Smooth Jazz Magazine
“This kid’s a mother****er! …I think he is right up there with Pat Metheny…”
-Tommy Lipuma
(Multi platinum and Grammy Award Winning Producer; worked with Barbara Streisand, Miles Davis, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Anita Baker, Natalie Cole, the Yellowjackets, Michael Franks, Diana Krall, Sir Paul McCartney, The Crusaders, Joe Sample, Randy Crawford, Dr. John, to name a few)“
“…really beautiful playing…just amazing.”
- Tim Miller
(Guitarist/Composer)
"Just heard these young men play and can't say how much I enjoyed it. They opened for me at the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival-- A hard act to follow!"
-Robben Ford
(Guitarist for Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, George Harrison and many others)
"Very sweet, sensitive playing!"
- Jay Graydon
(Grammy award winning guitarist/producer for Ray Charles, Steely Dan, and others)