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Marc Malsegna
Marc Masegna
Marc Malsegna is an American guitarist, session musician, producer, and arranger based in New York City. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, he has built a career as a versatile professional guitarist, performing in pop, rock, R&B, soul, jazz, and musical theatre.
Unlike many guitarists who are known for one band, Marc’s reputation comes from being an in-demand touring and recording musician. His professional credits include performances or recordings with artists such as:
- Engelbert Humperdinck
- Alicia Keys
- aespa
- Mimi Webb
- Sofia Carson
- Derek Hough
- Loren Gray
- The Warning
- Wayne Newton
- Banners
- Adam Blackstone
- Domino Saints
- Idman
In addition to working with recording artists, Marc has become a respected Broadway guitarist. His theatre credits include:
- Hell’s Kitchen (Alicia Keys’ musical)
- MJ: The Musical
- & Juliet
- Pretty Woman: The Musical
He has also worked on national touring productions as a substitute guitarist.
Playing style
Marc is known for being an extremely adaptable player. His strengths include:
- expressive blues and rock lead guitar,
- tasteful pop and R&B rhythm playing,
- funk grooves,
- jazz harmony,
- polished studio session work.
His philosophy is to serve the song rather than dominate it with flashy solos. That versatility is one reason he’s hired for such a wide variety of artists and productions.
Gear
According to his professional profile, Marc frequently uses:
- Gibson, Fender, PRS, and ChickenPicks ofcourse.
Hershel Yatovitz
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.
Pritesh Walia
About Pritesh
Pritesh Walia is a virtuoso jazz guitarist, accomplished composer, and dedicated educator hailing from the vibrant city of New Delhi, India. His musical journey began at the age of 13 when he immersed himself in the rich traditions of Indian Classical Music. Fueling his insatiable curiosity for music, Pritesh sought Western influences, initiating a lifelong pursuit of mastering diverse musical styles.
Armed with an Associates of Arts Degree from the Musicians Institute College of Contemporary Music, a Bachelor’s Degree from Berklee College of Music in Contemporary Jazz Performance and Jazz Composition, and a Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory, Pritesh has honed his craft alongside some of the finest jazz musicians in the United States.
Not only has Pritesh showcased his exceptional talent on global stages, but he has also formed collaborative partnerships with prestigious brands. During his tours of India from 2015 to 2017, he proudly represented leading musical instrument retailers. Sponsored by these industry giants, Pritesh conducted master classes and clinics across India, South America, and the United States, including two appearances at the esteemed Panama Jazz Festival.
Fayeed Tan
About Fayeed
Fayeed Tan – Mr Egg is a guitarplayer from Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.
He is an instructor, song writer and live artist. He started playing when he was 10 years old.
FAYEED ABOUT PLAYING AND INFLUENCERS
I always liked Eric Johnson’s tone and how he always does triplets on his pentatonic scales. It gives the scale more life thus turning it into a powerful lick.
Tommy Emmanuel’s finger picking I adapted so much into my playing and he would be the main reason why I became a hybrid picker.
Zakk Wylde is one amazing metal guitarist! I love how he makes his guitar scream and how he plays his riffs with angst.
I love how Steve Vai sounds very different from the others. How he writes his music is just amazing and very different. He probably experimented and studied more hours in a day compared to other guitar players that he has developed a certain amount of licks that just makes him very unique.
My all time favorite would be Guthrie Govan! The first time I saw him my jaws dropped. He plays rock-fusion but he uses jazz chops when he solos. He’s probably one of the very few guitar players who has mastered every technique on the guitar.
TEACHING
I would like to teach everyone the importance of melody. Techniques are important but they are just techniques without the voice, soul & feel of the guitar player. Through the use of licks and theories from every lesson everyone should develop a better sense of melody by adapting and understanding every step. I also plan to teach the use of smoother legato lines, hybrid picking and accurate tapping. These are the techniques I grew up learning and I would love to share them to everyone.
FAYEED’S CHOICE: Bermuda III Pointy
Fayeed with his own song
I grew up in a family of musicians and was influenced by music of different kinds. I first picked up the guitar at the age of 11 because everyone at home was playing the instrument. Unlike the rest, I always had that burning desire in me to write my own music because of melodies that keep popping in my head immensely even in my sleep. At 12, I heard a song on the radio and it was unusual because there were no vocals in it. WHAM! I was in total awe of Eric Johnson’s Cliffs of Dover! I got so hooked on guitar playing after that and the rest is history.
Links
Steve Marks
Steve Marks
Steve Marks is a British guitarist, demonstrator, educator, and product specialist best known for his work with Blackstar Amplification. While he isn’t primarily known as a recording artist or touring guitarist, he’s become a familiar face to many guitarists through Blackstar’s official demo videos, livestreams, trade-show appearances, and educational content. He also plays in Gasoline & Matches.
Gasoline & Matches are a British country-rock duo from Birmingham, England, made up of Sally Rea (vocals, guitar) and Steve Marks (vocals, guitar). Since forming in 2015, they’ve become one of the UK’s best-known independent country acts, blending modern country with rock, Americana, and pop influences.
Some highlights of their career include:
- Award-winning duo: They are two-time British CMA Duo of the Year winners and have also received the Birmingham Music Award for Best Folk/Country Act.
- Breakthrough success: Their debut single “Fool’s Gold” reached No. 1 on the UK iTunes Country Chart and was featured by BBC Introducing, helping establish them on the UK country scene.
- Guitar-driven sound: Unlike many country acts that lean heavily on programmed production, Gasoline & Matches emphasize live instruments, dual guitars, close vocal harmonies, and catchy songwriting. Their music mixes country with southern rock, blues, and pop-rock influences.
- Touring: They’ve performed throughout the UK as well as in Nashville and Los Angeles, and have shared stages with artists including Phil Vassar, Lindsay Ell, Don McLean, Jessie J, and the Kaiser Chiefs.
- Songwriters’ rounds: Sally and Steve also host “Nashville Sounds in the Round,” a Birmingham-based songwriter series modeled after Nashville’s Bluebird Café, where artists perform songs and discuss the stories behind them.
Guitar style
If you’re interested specifically in the guitar work, Steve Marks is the primary lead guitarist. His style is rooted in classic rock and blues but adapted to contemporary country, featuring:
- melodic lead lines rather than flashy solos,
- tasteful country-inspired bends and double-stops,
- crunchy overdriven rhythm tones,
- clean, articulate picking that supports the vocal harmonies.
The duo’s chemistry comes from combining Steve’s guitar playing with Sally Rea’s expressive vocals and rhythm guitar.
Good songs to start with
If you want to get a feel for their music, these are good entry points:
- Fool’s Gold
- Patient Wolves
- Could’ve Been a Love Song
- Afraid to Fall
- Smiling Viper
If your interest is primarily in guitar playing, Steve Marks is worth checking out. He doesn’t aim for virtuoso-style solos; instead, he focuses on tasteful phrasing, strong tone, and playing that serves the song—qualities that have made him well regarded in the UK country and Americana scene.
