World-renowned guitarist Alex Skolnick‘s incredible global collaboration, Planetary Coalition, is being considered for nomination in Contemporary Instrumental (159) for the 58th Grammy Awards. In addition, it is also being considered in arranging, composition, and soloist categories. The album was submitted by ArtistShare, whose recordings have received nine Grammy Awards and eighteen Grammy nominations to date, alongside new releases by Gil Evans Project (the first release under the BlueNote/ArtistShare label partnership) and Maria Schneider (2005 Best Large Ensemble Album winner).
Described as a “gorgeous tour of the world’s musical traditions” by University of Dayton’s prestigious ArtsLive program, Planetary Coalition – Skolnick’s first acoustic album and first world music project – made Guitar World’s Fifty Best of 2014 as well as top 10 lists by Acoustic Nation and World Music Central. It consists of Alex’s original compositions performed alongside international artists such as Rodrigo y Gabriela (Mexico), Kiran Ahluwalia (India), Yacouba Sissoko (Mali), Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez (Cuba), Yihan Chen (China) and many others. In certain cases, social issues are highlighted (such as “Salto,” named for an Argentine agricultural region affected by Monsanto) and in others, musicians from politically conflicted regions are united (such as Palestinian Adnan Joubran and Israeli Gadi Seri). Twenty-seven musicians. Five Continents. One vision.
Alex Skolnick states, “I’m very pleased that Planetary Coalition is being considered for nomination in this year’s Grammy Awards. The logistics of composing, rehearsing and recording this album (at times between activity with Testament, my trio and other projects), left me creatively satisfied but quite exhausted, so it’s really nice to feel the appreciation. Confession: The Grammys have always felt a bit like a gated community or that annual high school party you were never invited to; I rarely tune in and know very little about the process. Regardless…to witness one’s passion-project chosen for Grammy submission by ArtistShare, a reputable arts organization who’ve had a fair share of nominees and winners (all genuine, non-image driven artists) is a truly nice validation, whatever the outcome, for everyone involved (this project is about much more than me). Thanks to all who’ve believed and contributed in so many ways.”
Read more praise of Alex Skolnick’s Planetary Coalition:
“Though he’s pretty much a household name in heavy metal, Alex Skolnick is not your average, everyday shredding guitarist. He started his career at 16 years old with the Bay Area thrash metal band Testament. While he continues to be heavily involved with them, and that style of music, in reality, he defies categorization by musical genre…”- Making Music Magazine (cover story)
“Alex Skolnick has done a splendid job on Planetary Coalition, delivering memorable pan-global collaborations with top international world music talent.” – World Music Central
“Alex Skolnick’s Planetary Coalition breaks all the rules.” – The Village Voice
“The new album from our friend Alex Skolnick is out now and it is amazing. We guest on the track called ‘Playa la Ropa’. Each track features different musicians from around the world. Check it out and support great musical projects like this one because they don’t come out very often!” – Rodrigo y Gabriela
About ALEX SKOLNICK:
Perhaps best known for his work with the Bay Area thrash metal band Testament, which he joined at 16, Alex is equally adept as an improviser of jazz, world music and other styles. A star pupil of guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani, Alex went on to earn a BFA from the New School in New York City, where he studied advanced musical concepts, philosophy and creative writing. While at The New School, he formed the Alex Skolnick Trio, whose four albums have been critically acclaimed in such publications as Downbeat and JazzTimes. A frequent live guest for artists as diverse as Rodrigo y Gabriela (with whom he appeared on RyG’s 2009 album 11:11) and Living Colour, Alex has also toured with the hit holiday rock concert Trans-Siberian Orchestra and virtuoso bassist Stuart Hamm. He has shared the stage with such diverse artists as Steven Tyler, Ozzy Osbourne, Roger Daltrey, Debbie Friedman, Anton Fig, Robert Randolph, Bonnie Tyler, Joe Walsh, Joan Jett, Blue Oyster Cult and more. In 2015, Alex became a core member of Metal Allegiance, co-writing and co-producing the all-star project’s self-titled debut to rave reviews including four stars from Revolver Magazine.
For more information on Alex Skolnick’s Planetary Coalition, please visit www.planetarycoalition.com.
For more information on Alex Skolnick, please visit www.alexskolnick.com.
