Characterized by uncommon rhythmic dexterity, exploratory slide guitar work and a uniquely grooving, percussive acoustic style, Wests playing was described by The Oakland Tribune as sounding like something never heard before... nothing short of astounding. His recordings with his band Curvature have elicited extravagant praise, with Cadence Magazine calling his music subtle, sensuous, accomplished, and mature, while NPR declared his output a whole new sub-genre of jazz. Rather than a tributary to the mighty river of jazz, it might be more accurate to say Wests music represents a new stream of American acoustic music, an improvisation-laced sound influenced by jazz, but equally engaged with rock, folk, and funk...
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Characterized by uncommon rhythmic dexterity, exploratory slide guitar work and a uniquely grooving, percussive acoustic style, Wests playing was described by The Oakland Tribune as sounding like something never heard before... nothing short of astounding. His recordings with his band Curvature have elicited extravagant praise, with Cadence Magazine calling his music subtle, sensuous, accomplished, and mature, while NPR declared his output a whole new sub-genre of jazz. Rather than a tributary to the mighty river of jazz, it might be more accurate to say Wests music represents a new stream of American acoustic music, an improvisation-laced sound influenced by jazz, but equally engaged with rock, folk, and funk. In many ways he was an early exemplar of the acoustic guitar virtuosi who followed in the percussive footsteps of Michael Hedges (1953 1997), a world thats expanded in recent years with YouTube sensations like Marcin, Alexandr Misko, and Luka Stricognoli. While West shares with these artists an expansive toolkit of impressive percussive techniques, his music is far less about blazing through fully composed pieces and more about innovative grooves and ensemble interplay, with space for impromptu invention. With his stunning new acoustic guitar duo album, West offers fans of acoustic guitar virtuosity a jaw-dropping sojourn. Guitars On Life presents a captivating collection of steel string duets with fellow guitar explorer Walter Strauss, best known for his extensive work with Malian artists (particularly kora master Sidiki Diabat and ngoni innovator Mamadou Sidibe). With West supplying the bass, chords, and percussion lines of an entire rhythm section, his bass notes popping due to a thumb pick of his own invention, Strauss weaves expertly filigreed melodies that alternately careen around and caress Wests buoyant foundation. The result is a surprisingly large, full band sound emanating from just two acoustic guitars.For his concert at Freight Guitars On Life album as well as material from his early recordings with his band Curvature, now compiled on a double-LP release entitled Essential Curvature, featuring vibraphonist Lalo, bassist Gary Brown, and drummer Josh Jones. Both LP packages are set for release in January 2026.
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