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Scales & Arpeggios

Shred Guitar School Instructors

Founder and Instructor

Leigh Williams

 

 

INSTRUCTOR:  Leigh Williams

EDUCATION:

Musician's Academy of London

Musician's Institute of Technology (G.I.T.)

EXPERIENCE:

Touring, Writing, Recording

Debut Instrumental CD: Absolute Zero with members of Steve Vai's band.

Currently working with members of Yngwie Malmsteen's & Paul Gilber's band.

ENDORSEMENTS:

Mesa Boogie Amps, Jim Dunlop picks and pedals, Fernandes Sustainer & Guitars,GHS Strings, Morley Pedals, VooDoo Lab Pedals, Dimzrzio Pickups, Toontrack.



Dynamic guitarist Leigh Williams touched down in America establishing himself as a premier instrumental rock guitarist. One by one Leigh gathered some of rock music's most dynamic musicians, Virgil Donati drums (Steve Vai, Ring of Fire, Planet X). Mike Keneally Keyboards ( Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, Beer for Dolphins). Phillip Bynoe Bass (Steve Vai, Ring of Fire ) and Grammy Award Winning Engineer / Producer Neil Citron( Producer of  Clear Blue  - featured on Leigh's debut album). Together they joined with Leigh to launch his debut solo album  ABSOLUTE ZERO . At the age of fourteen, Leigh was so overpowered with inspiration after seeing   Iron Maiden  in concert that he went home, picked up a piece of wood and a few strings, made a guitar and then taught himself how to play. Recognizing his talent, determination and drive his parents placed a real guitar beneath the Christmas tree. In just a few short years Leigh was teaching guitar at a local music store in his native South Wales, UK. He then began his formal training at the  Musicians Academy of London .  Leigh joined the rock group  Talen  and toured the UK promoting their newly released single. Leigh set almost impossible standards for himself and was awarded with a scholarship from the   Prince Charles Trust . With suitcase in tow, he left his home and landed in America. Leigh arrived in the US and continued his formal training at the world famous Musician's Institute / G.I.T. (Guitar Institute of Technology) in Los Angeles. Leigh’s world wind experience, inspiration and force can be heard on his debut release  Absolute Zero  recorded at Steve Vai's recording studio, The Mothership.

After his debut release Leigh then formed a progressive metal band “Turbulence” . The band went into the studio and recorded a five song EP entitled “Reign of Tyranny” with engineer Brian Dobbs who has worked with bands such as Metallica and Skid Row. The band performed many shows in Southern California, hitting the L.A. circuit.

Leigh is currently in the studio working with drummer Jeff Bowders - ( Paul Gilbert),  Bjorn Englen on bass (Yngwie Malmsteen’s “Rising Force”)  on his second solo release entitled “ The Visionary” due to be released in 2010.


Absolute_Zero_Cover

Click Here To Buy Absolute Zero on iTunes

 

 

Leigh Williams – Absolute Zero

By: David Hodge Guitar Noise

There are, heaven knows, zillions of guitarists out in the world today. You’ve got to wonder about that sometimes, because that means that, in your lifetime you’ll never get to know, or even hear, all of them.

I bring this up as part of this review because, I’m really at a loss for words. Leigh Williams is a technically brilliant guitarist. His debut solo CD, Absolute Zero, is an instrumental tour de force. If you love fast and flashy guitar playing, then you’ll definitely love this album. Every track puts Williams’ playing front and center for your listening pleasure. You can’t help but sit spellbound during the first three songs (Calm Before the Storm, Clear Blue and FOG (Finger of God)) as he flies all over the fretboard.

The acoustic rhythm guitar work as well as astonishing keyboards courtesy of Mike Keneally (who’s played with Vai and Zappa, among others) in Bad Karma (part 3) actually outshine the obligatory electric guitar when it makes its appearance. And the album’s last song is such a powerfully moody piece it makes you want to hear it over and over again. More on that in a moment…

Williams’ back-up band is nothing less than stellar. This isn’t surprising since they’re all from Steve Vai’s band: Virgil Donati plays drums while Keneally handles the various keyboards and Phillip Bynoe lays down the wonderful bass parts.

Thematically, the CD is structured around a tornado strike and the music appropriately is alternately frantic and frenetic. Even the “balladish” numbers after the storm passes (New Horizons, Transitions) leave you trying to catch your breath. This album doesn’t let up for a moment until you reach the terrific Y.T.T (yesterday, today, tomorrow), the CD’s final song. Here Williams does a wonderful job of making you forget the entire CD that proceeded it. You get so caught up in his melodic phrasing and soulful playing that you can’t help but wonder why he left this piece for dead last. But you’re glad he did!

Leigh Williams is, as I said, an exceptionally talented guitarist. Hopefully he’ll put out a lot more albums! Absolute Zero certainly leaves you wanting more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 


Sunday, 05.09.2010