Photo: hershelyatovitz.com
Hershel Yatovitz is an American guitarist, producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist who is best known for his long tenure as lead guitarist for Chris Isaak.
Some highlights of his career:
- Lead guitarist for Chris Isaak (1995–2025): Yatovitz joined Isaak’s band after the departure of guitarist James Calvin Wilsey. Over roughly 30 years, he recorded 10 studio albums with Isaak, toured extensively across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Mexico, and became a key part of Isaak’s signature live sound.
- Television work: He appeared as himself on Showtime’s The Chris Isaak Show (2000–2003), a fictionalized comedy series based on the band. He also performed on The Chris Isaak Hour, which featured guest artists from across the music world.
- Versatile musician: Beyond guitar, he plays bass and drums and has worked as a producer and composer. His playing spans rock, blues, country, jazz, R&B, soul, funk, reggae, Latin, Western swing, and other styles.
- Collaborations: Over the years he has performed with an impressive range of artists, including Stevie Nicks, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Walsh, Brian Setzer, Michael Bublé, Glen Campbell, Booker T. Jones, and many others.
- Educator: Before joining Isaak full time, Yatovitz spent 17 years teaching guitar and bass, including nine years at the Stanford Jazz Workshop at Stanford University.
- Current base: He now lives and works in Sydney, Australia, where he continues performing, producing, and recording.
Playing style
Yatovitz is known for tasteful, melodic guitar work rather than flashy virtuosity. His style blends:
- Rockabilly twang
- Blues phrasing
- Country-influenced lead playing
- Rich chord voicings
- Atmospheric use of delay and reverb
His approach fits naturally with Chris Isaak’s music, where the guitar often serves the song with expressive fills and lyrical solos instead of technical showmanship.
If you’re exploring his playing
Some good recordings to hear Yatovitz on include:
- Forever Blue (1995)
- Baja Sessions (1996)
- Speak of the Devil (1998)
- Always Got Tonight (2002)
- First Comes the Night (2015)
These albums showcase everything from rockabilly and surf-inspired tones to atmospheric ballads and bluesy leads.
