|
|
Tom Hess is an expressive and adroit axe wielder currently based in Cary, Illinois (U.S.A.) who represents his playing style as progressive/neo-classical/shred, as a music fan can now experience on his most recent recording, "Opus 2".  His workhorse guitar is a Carvin V220. Hess has been playing guitar since 1986, and putting it simply, divulges his career objective, "Continuous composing, recording, and touring worldwide."
When asked to finally make public his favorite or most used effect for the guitar, Hess unflinchingly stated, "Distortion," and continued by outlining his musicial goals, "Musically, I am doing what my goals always have been, I now just seek to refine my skills further." He maintains a desire to, at some point, study 19th century virtuoso piano technique, and is at the moment listening to Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849), Henryk Gorecki, SAGE, Dream Theater, Symphony X, Jason Becker, Alice in Chains and George Bellas. His principal gratification? "Successfully expressing myself through my music," he explains absolutely.
 Hess wraps up by noting long-term and forthcoming endeavors enthusiastically, by saying, "I'm currently composing "Opus 3". I'm also composing 19th century style piano and orchestral works."
Guitar Nine Records visitors have compared the playing style and/or musical approach of Tom Hess to guitarists such as George Bellas, John Petrucci, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Marty Friedman, Jason Becker, Torben Enevoldsen, Rusty Cooley, Michael Angelo Batio, Michael Angelo, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Romeo and others.
Hess's discography (available here at Guitar Nine Records) includes a number of recording projects (Hess "Opus 1", Hess "Opus 2").
|
Vol. 17, No. 2: Feb.-Mar. 2012
