Kinloch Nelson - Guitarist, Composer, Singer

Shown below is a photo of Kinloch playing his commissioned MacCubbin guitar, with Madagascar Rosewood back and sides, Adirondack Spruce top, and flamed Maple bindings. The guitar features a softened cutaway and slotted headstock.

"Kinloch Nelson has been playing guitar for fun since 1956, seriously since 1968 and professionally since 1973. Born in 1950, Nelson grew up during the tail end of the jazz era, the high point of the broadway-to-the- movies musicals, the blooming of black and white TV with its emphasis on cowboys and Indians, the heyday of AM radio and the beginning of 'underground' FM radio. The ever expanding music scene of these years served as the backdrop to Nelson's guitar explorations, and the foundation to a 40 year performance career playing folk, rock, R and B, country, ragtime, jazz and classical music in bands, ensembles and as a solo performer. Since 2000 Nelson quit playing in bands and has concentrated exclusively on acoustic guitar composition and performance."

"Recently Nelson has been an in demand player at Guitar Festivals in Newport RI , Miami FL, Montreal Canada, and Healdsburg CA. He can be heard as guitar demonstrator on the websites of noted guitar builders Ken Parker, Bruce Petros (Acoustic Guitar Magazine award winner), Julius Borges, Bernie Lehmann, and David MacCubbin. Nelson can be heard on Heartland Records, BKNjr Records, Hodgepodge Music, Echotone Records, Riva Records, and noted folk music label Sampler Records."

"A musician with incredible depth and breadth. Kinloch Nelson plays with the virtuosity of a classical master and the sensibility of a pop performer."

Portland Press Herald, Portland ME

"Kinloch Nelson's guitar playing is an infuriating lullaby: it can soothe with its complex yet subtle dexterity while enraging those of us in the six-string set who wish we could play half as well."

"Watching Nelson play guitar is essentially witnessing the deconstruction of the instrument. Listening is a journey through American roots, jazz, country, blues, classical and whatever it is that ties them all together."

Frank De Blase, City Newspaper, Rochester NY

"Kinloch Nelson is a great instrumentalist. Like all good artists his vitality comes from a practiced ability to surprise his audience. His handiwork even included a 'disposable solo' in which Kinloch 'played the cracks'...This was greeted with howls of approval, a tribute to the good-natured humility of a consummate player."

Bound for Glory, WVBR Ithaca NY, concert review

"If you have not experienced a Kinloch Nelson performance, you have no idea what you are missing! Kinloch has been a staple of the regional music scene for years and years, displaying amazing work on the guitar. Mesmerizing, spellbinding."

Al Nobles, Southern Tier Coffeehouse, Canaseraga NY

"Last night Cafe Noir had the pleasure of presenting Kinloch Nelson to a full house. He plays guitar with such great precision and artistry, I feel compelled to pass him along to you with my recommendations. His repertoire is full of variety - from classical music to moldy-oldies balanced by originals and medleys that are as surprising as they are beautiful."

Martin Swinger, Cafe Noir, Augusta ME

"A seemingly effortless exhibition of inspirational skills, full of surprises and precocious humour."

"Simply phenomenal, I wish I was half as good!"

YouTube fans

Here is a review of a gig at a local bistro in Rochester NY.

"While the murmur of chatter and clinking silverware can often be intrusive when you're trying to appreciate a musical performance, local acoustic guitarist Kinloch Nelson's appearance at Bodhi's Cafe Saturday night proved that technical skill, subtlety, and dinner ambience can work together exceptionally well. Of course, with restaurant gigs, the whole point is to enhance the dining experience. But Nelson (his first name rhymes with "in-law") achieved something far beyond background music, and he did so with the utmost discretion and good taste. As the night went on, Nelson's unaccompanied guitar seemed less like a mere instrument and more like a fragrant, reassuring breeze bringing harmony and vibrance to Bodhi's Asian-themed decor."

"Now approaching his 40th year as a player, student, and teacher of the fingerstyle guitar tradition, Nelson's chops become evident pretty much as soon as he starts playing, even when he holds back as he did on Saturday. "Badass" might seem like a strange term to apply to a guitarist with such refined technique, but there really isn't a better word to describe the sheer scope of what Nelson can do. And certain aspects immediately distinguish his playing. For one, there's the grace and fluidity with which he applies those chops. Next, there's the fact that Nelson's appearances usually don't center around classical guitar per se. His repertoire, in fact, spans a breathtaking range, and by applying classical finger picking and his own signature stamp to folk, jazz, and a dizzying gamut of genres, Nelson has crafted an irresistible format all his own."

Click here for a video of Kinloch playing a fingerstyle-instrumental version of 60's pop hit 'Sukiyaki' by Kyu Sakamoto on the pictured custom-built MacCubbin guitar.

Click here for an additional video of Kinloch playing 'Sunflower River Blues' by John Fahey on the MacCubbin 'Heron Sunset' Chesapeake Bay Project guitar.

Click here for an additional video of Kinloch playing Les Paul and Mary Ford's 50's pop hit 'Vaya con Dios' on a MacCubbin sycamore dreadnought guitar. Tuning is CGDABE.

For more information or to contact Kinloch Nelson directly, visit his website at www.kinlochnelson.com