New Discovery!! Incredible Guitarist, Lawson Rollins

Since I was a kid I have always been fascinated with other cultures, geography, foreign language and world music. Even though I was a total metal head in high school I have always had a deep appreciation for Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi and all the other Classical Masters. This appreciation for other forms of music was further extended when I discovered Spanish guitar god, Paco De Lucia, as a teenager. From that moment on I was hooked on flamenco guitar. Once I began my foreign language studies in college I was listening to a variety of Latin and Latin-influenced artists such as the Gypsy Kings, Roberto Perera, Andres Segovia and Nestor Torres, to name a few. I have always been drawn to virtuosity in music and there is certainly no doubt that I owe that to the music scene of the '80s and the influence of Classical music and Spanish guitar.

This brings me to Lawson Rollins. I recently discovered this guy and all I can say is "Wow!". What an incredible player. Classically trained with a penchant for flamenco-inspired fiery runs, his right hand technique is truly something to behold... I've never quite seen a fingerstyle so effortless, clean and fast! I just finished listening to the album "Infinita", Lawson's 2008 solo release, and found it quite relaxing and smooth with some really impressive playing. I would describe it as a "world-music Jazz album".

According to Rollins' biography, he is originally from North Carolina and began studying music at an early age. "After studying piano and violin, he took up the drums at age 8, but it was at age 15 when he heard a recording of Andres Segovia performing music of the great Spanish composers that he switched his full attention to the guitar."

Check out this video to gain an appreciation for just how good of a guitarist and musician Rollins is:




I haven't heard the new album yet, but suspect that I am going to like it. According to a press release: "Espirito, Rollins’ second solo effort (out on January 19, 2010), is a suite that extends and expands the vision of Infinita with thirteen compositions that delve deep into the roots of world music. This time he’s added biguine, reggae, son, and swing rhythms to an approach already heavy with intimations of Spain, India, Persia, and the Arab world." It is now available for purchase or digital download on Amazon: Lawson Rollins - Espirito