User:Gilvelazquezmusic/sandbox

Gil Velazquez Songwriter/Recording Artist
With each new piece he writes, Gil feels a story is essential to the writing process. “As a songwriter the challenge is always to visualize an event, emotion, a point in someone’s life, something that can be translated into music.

In the GuitarPlayer Magazine January 2009 Issue, Gil Velazquez was selected as one of the Editors Top 8 Guitarist based upon a submission of hundreds of guitarist nationwide. His style has been compared to a touch of Santana, Satriani, and Jeff Beck, with hints of Zeppelin. His style is also focused more as a “melodic” approach to his guitar phrasing as opposed to a technical, shredding approach.

While performing, Gil also sees the live experience as a part of his method of song writing and composing. Whether engaged in open jams, or solo performances, he is always looking to make his compositions accessible to his audience, while never quite predictable. His credits are such as a featured indie artist on WCRX in Chicago, RadioUgly-New York, and HomeGrown Radio NJ to name a few, in addition his performances span the gamut of reputable clubs and stages in the New Jersey area.

He has shared the stage both as a jam artist and band member with an amazing array of musicians from all styles and experiences such as Poppa John Bug and the Jam Band (former Richie Havens band member), Michael Ghegan, Jack Daley, David Rhee, Rob Dye, Woodfish, Jennifer Jordan, and countless other movers and shakers in the New Jersey music scene.

Gil’s style really has touched upon a variety of genres, but in the end, the foundation of his influences really appear once the tracks are final. While his guitar instrumental writings over the years have been greatly influenced by the likes of Joe Satriani, Jimmy Page and Carlos Santana, he states he is always looking for just a little something to separate his work from his influences just enough. Looking for his “mark” is always a quest every musician strives for. Gil doesn’t believe any “one sound” really needs to be his mark. As he puts it, he would like that to be more of a subconscious process that reveals itself over time, rather than a “forced” intention.

In addition, his instrumental tracks have been incorporated on various websites as online branding. Customized tracks are developed for both TV and Film usage.