Bio

Rex Bauer began playing guitar at the age of 17. His first influences were great guitarists of the British Invasion of the 1960's (Clapton, Beck and Page) and other prominent rock and blues guitarists of the 60's and 70's such as Johnny Winter, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Howe, Robert Fripp, David Gilmour and Keith Richards among others. He later became intrigued by the jazz fusion movement of the mid 70's after hearing players like John McLaughlin and Larry Coryell and began studying modal improvisation. His interest in Fusion led him further back into the history jazz where Rex found a gold mine of music in the sounds of such guitarists as Joe Pass, Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel (a friend of Dave Mortland, Rex's first teacher), Wes Montgomery, Tal Farlow, Charlie Christian, Django Reinhart and the great Charlie Christian. He is also a huge fan and student of the styles of country guitar and bluegrass greats such as Chet Atkins, Roy Clark, James Burton, Tony Rice, Doc Watson and Norman Blake.

He has studied with five private (and very excellent) teachers over the past 30 years; Dave Mortland, Robin Huff, Justin Lees, Mark Deutsch and Leroy Pierson. From each of these teachers he gleaned the essentials of technique, theory, ear training as well as the study of various styles, especially blues, jazz, rock, pop, folk and country music. But just as important as his studies was his experiences performing with countless bands in all styles of music. He's performed with Chuck Berry's legendary pianist Johnnie Johnson (the namesake of "Johnny B. Goode"), The Leroy Pierson Band, Washington DC famed Imperial Palms Orchestra, Grammy Award winning trumeter and composer Fletch Wiley. He was lead guitarist for several rock, jazz, country and blues bands over the years including the Interstate Connection Bluesmasters, Connie and Instigators, the Bluesmasters, the Bluehawks and many others. Rex has performed throughout the US and Europe for over 20 years and says he's learned something new from every gig he's ever played. He is a perpetual student of music and his studies go well beyond the classroom.