Preston Reed - The Guitar Revolutionary

Preston Reed plays acoustic steel string guitar in a revolutionary, self-invented percussive style that integrates simultaneous melodies and drum rhythms. Drawing on jazz, rock, funk and ethnic musical influences and combining the skills of a drummer, keyboardist and guitarist. Preston performs unique compositions that transform the guitar as we know it into a new instrument. Called "phenomenal" by Al DiMeola and "inspiring" by the late Michael Hedges, Preston's solo concerts are dazzling audiences throughout the world while his workshops for Ovation Guitars challenge an entire generation of players to think differently about the creative possibilities of the acoustic guitar. The Minneapolis Star Tribune calls him "electrifying... an innovative guitarist who, with his resourceful techniques, can make one acoustic guitar sound like a full rock band." Guitar World Magazine calls him "a revolutionary guitarist who plays his instrument like a drum kit as much as guitar." The Los Angeles Times wrote, "an amazing array of sounds... acoustic guitarist Preston Reed literally hammers out his musical groove."

A self-educated composer, musical explorer and stylistic innovator, Preston's shows have been cited as often for their soulful musicality as for their inventiveness. "Seeing Preston Reed perform for the first time is a jaw-dropping experience," Acoustic Guitar magazine recently wrote. "His technical feats are all dedicated to the pursuit of music, and his compositions are beautifully conceived and richly melodic."

Preston has recorded 13 albums and three videos since 1979 - including last year's acclaimed solo CD Ladies Night and the 1994 percusso-acoustic CD Border Towns, co-produced by ex-Weather Report member Alex Acuna. His first public performance, at age 17, was accompanying Beat poet Allen Ginsberg at a reading at the Smithsonian Institution. He has since shared the stage with dozens of music and entertainment luminaries such as Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, Robin Williams, and Linda Ronstadt. He is a frequent guest at Muriel Anderson's "All Star Guitar Night," including the series' debut concert at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. He has composted a feature film core, and is in the process of completing a four-movement suite for the nationally acclaimed Minneapolis Guitar Quartet. In December 1997 Preston appeared in an historic live satellite broadcast on Turkish National program had a viewing audience of 120 million in 17 countries, and culminated in an impromptu cross-cultural jam that drew a flood of calls from around the world.

In his role as a musical educator Preston has presented hundreds of seminars, workshops and clinics for guitar player seeking to expand their technique and musicianship, and has published a widely-used instructional video on his playing style (The Guitar of Preston Reed, Homespun Tapes). He is a regular on the faculty of the National Guitar Workshop, the Swannanoa Gathering and other nationally-acclaimed summer music programs.

Preston's robust touring schedule has taken him throughout the entire United States, Canada, Europe, Japan and Turkey.