English guitarist and composer, a leading figure in jazz fusion known for a distinctive legato technique and early adoption of the SynthAxe; highly influential among other guitarists.

Born 6 August 1946 in Bradford, England; died 15 April 2017. Widely recognised for pioneering legato phrasing, complex harmonic language and use of the SynthAxe.

DeBaser reviews praise Allan Holdsworth's technical mastery, unique legato phrasing and use of the Synthaxe. Albums reviewed here include Metal Fatigue, Atavachron, Hard Hat Area and The Sixteen Men of Tain. Reviews emphasize both virtuosity and an occasionally emotionally distant style.

For:Guitarists, jazz fusion fans, progressive rock listeners, music students and critics

 Allan Holdsworth is a musician always in constant search of perfection even with the help of always new instrumental techniques and technologies.

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 Allan Holdsworth is certainly one of the most evolved living guitar minds, a true UFO, which has sometimes earned him the unjust accusation of excessive musical “coldness,” misunderstanding the distance that his daring harmonic concepts create with the average listener’s ear.

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 One of the great Master’s best works who, despite his advanced age (seventy years old), never stops having an extraordinary musical intelligence and a unique knack for catching the listener off guard.

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 Many cite him as the greatest of all time, and they are, in my opinion, damn right, for those who understand a little something more: a liquid and absolutely unpredictable phrasing, a practically unique sense of melody, a technique, especially in the legato, to say the least, unattainable.

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