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Allan Holdsworth

Allan Holdsworth

Born: 6th August 1946, Bradford, England

Died: 15th April 2017, Vista, California, US

Nationality: British

Allan Holdsworth was a British jazz fusion and progressive rock guitarist and composer.

Holdsworth was known for his esoteric and idiosyncratic usage of advanced music theory concepts, especially with respect to melody and harmony. His music incorporates a vast array of complex chord progressions, often using unusual chord shapes in an abstract way based on his understanding of "chord scales", and intricate improvised solos, frequently across shifting tonal centres. He used myriad scale forms often derived from those such as the Lydian, diminished, harmonic major, augmented, whole tone, chromatic and altered scales, among others, often resulting in an unpredictable and dissonant "outside" sound. His unique legato soloing technique stemmed from his original desire to play the saxophone.

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