MUSIC Allan Holdsworth: Unparalleled technique*

Guitar virtuoso Allan Holdsworth is the latest jazz luminary to pass away. It is interesting to meditate on what made him different.
Perhaps the first point is that he was an exceptional improvising musician first and guitarist second. Inspired by the playing of John Coltrane and Charlie Parker, Holdsworth initially wanted to play the saxophone and he was able to acquire some of the characteristics of wind playing – at times one could almost hear the pausing for breath.

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