Alex Sill
- Actor
- Soundtrack
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 featured some of LA's best jazz musicians (see press release below for details). Following the record's release, Alex joined Simon Phillips' Grammy nominated group Protocol for the band's 30th anniversary tour. After a run in Japan, Protocol continued to tour worldwide through 2019 and into 2020 in China, Europe, and the United States. Protocol V, a brand new album of original music featuring this new line up, is slated for release in the near future. Along with pieces composed by Simon Phillips, the album will include music co-written with Alex, and features Jacob Scesney on saxophones, Otmaro Ruiz on keys, and Ernest Tibbs on bass.
Awards/ Accolades-
-Recipient of Louis Armstrong Jazz Award (2011)
-Winner of Rock Category in Lee Ritenour's Six String Theory International Guitar Competition (2012)
-Lew Wasserman Scholarship Recipient for Two Consecutive Years (2013-2014)
-Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Jazz Studies (Minor in Music Theory), California Institute of The Arts (2015)
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 featured some of LA's best jazz musicians (see press release below for details). Following the record's release, Alex joined Simon Phillips' Grammy nominated group Protocol for the band's 30th anniversary tour. After a run in Japan, Protocol continued to tour worldwide through 2019 and into 2020 in China, Europe, and the United States. Protocol V, a brand new album of original music featuring this new line up, is slated for release in the near future. Along with pieces composed by Simon Phillips, the album will include music co-written with Alex, and features Jacob Scesney on saxophones, Otmaro Ruiz on keys, and Ernest Tibbs on bass.
Awards/ Accolades-
-Recipient of Louis Armstrong Jazz Award (2011)
-Winner of Rock Category in Lee Ritenour's Six String Theory International Guitar Competition (2012)
-Lew Wasserman Scholarship Recipient for Two Consecutive Years (2013-2014)
-Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Jazz Studies (Minor in Music Theory), California Institute of The Arts (2015)
