Lawson Rollins

Guitarist and composer Lawson Rollins has received worldwide attention through his critically-acclaimed solo albums, widespread radio airplay, eclectic collaborations with other artists from around the globe, and sensational performance videos which have been seen by millions of viewers online. Lawson's genre-defying sound on the guitar has earned him rave reviews: Guitar Player Magazine states, "He possesses ungodly classical chops, with dazzling speed, uncanny accuracy, and a beautifully delicate touch...Lawson incorporates jazz, Brazilian, Latin, and world music influences into his complex musical stew, making for an intriguing listen." On his albums of original music he has collaborated with a host of GRAMMY winners and nominees, including violinist Charlie Bisharat, singer Flora Purim, percussionist Airto Moreira, drummer Horacio Hernandez, and Persian kamencheh legend Kayhan Kalhor, to name a few. His albums have spawned several Billboard top 30 contemporary jazz hits, including "Daybreak" from his latest album ELEVATION and the Billboard #1 chart-topper, "Moonlight Samba," from ESPIRITO.

After releasing 4 highly praised studio albums with his popular guitar duo Young & Rollins, Lawson's 2008 debut solo album INFINITA lived up to its name with a far-reaching series of groundbreaking soundscapes. All About Jazz Magazine called the album "a rewarding gem...easily one of the year's best." The title track became a certified Billboard Top 30 radio hit in the contemporary jazz genre. The guitarist was praised for his compositional skill and soulful virtuosity. Guitar Player Magazine wrote, "Rollins seduces in so many ways that it's almost unfair. His classical tone is gorgeous, his technique is impeccable, his subtle genre blending is compelling." ESPIRITO, Rollins' second solo effort, expanded the vision of INFINITA with thirteen compositions that delved deeply into the roots of World Music. Upon its release, The All Music Guide described ESPIRITO as an "extraordinary musical trip...splendidly exotic, infectiously melodic." Radio again embraced Lawson's music and the first single from ESPIRITO entitled "Moonlight Samba" hit #1 on the Billboard Recurrent Chart. The latest album ELEVATION marks an expressive high point for Lawson as both a composer and performer. Over the course of 74 minutes of original music, ELEVATION breaks new ground with an eclectic cast of musicians recorded on-location in Nepal, Iran, and U.S., including avante-garde guitar legend Buckethead, Persian-American producer/musician Shahin Shahida, Nepali flute master Ruben Kumar Shrestha, Iranian santur virtuoso Pejman Eckhtiari, and many more. Guitar guru Robert Silverstein of Music Web described the album as "one of the great instrumental guitar albums of 2011...a masterpiece of high guitar art."