Garrett Gleason has been a towering talent for years now, often collaborating with fellow luminaries or tackling larger-than-life concepts by himself through inconceivable guitar magic. Today, we are awe stricken yet again and honored to premier a live solo set where you can witness the magic up close.
There are lots of one-man band projects we adore, but we’ve always thought of Garrett as more of an auteur because you can tell it’s him right away. Metaphorically speaking, he really eats the whole guitar and pedalboard. Few have the instinctual prowess to deliver with such grace, and seeing it happen in real time only adds power to his ever-evolving myth.
Sometimes when someone is so good at something, you hear the people surrounding them saying things like “ok, I’ll just quit my instrument now,” but no matter what you play, the performance below is nothing short of inspiring. It’s not a contest, it’s a celebration. Grab the popcorn and check it out below:
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As a composer, Gleason has released a large catalogue of original recordings through his own Head Cannon Records, through experimental labels Akar Music and TAR, and through contemporary classical label PARMA Recordings. As a performer, he has toured internationally as the guitarist for the American Pops Orchestra, the multi-stringed instrumentalist in The SpongeBob Musical, and a bandleader in a myriad of his own projects. Gleason’s music embraces storytelling through textural development, off-kilter improvisation, and sound manipulation.
“Guitarist Garrett Gleason has developed a reputation in D.C. as one of the city’s most versatile guitarists, able to slide between traditional rock, jazz and out-there improvisational rock with ease.” Rudi Greenberg, The Washington Post
“The equivalent of a Christopher Nolan film for your headphones.” Michael Whiteside, Fecking Bahamas
“Of course, the power is thrilling, but [Gleason] has a gift as an arranger for tenderness, melancholy, humor, and many other things that don’t generally tug the heart in a rock configuration.” Adam Guettel, on Gleason’s Myths and Hymns
Be sure to check out more from this magician on his website here.
(Thanks for reading! If you’re looking for more music, check out our Bandcamp compilations here. If you like us, or possibly even love us, donations are always appreciated at the Buy Me A Coffee page here as well. Don’t let the bastards get you down!)