Nita Strauss’ 10 Favorite Guitarists of the Last 10 Years

Style and swagger meet undeniable technique. I truly think Angel is one of the most exciting guitar players to watch and his diversity in style is mind blowing. Plus, you can’t talk about Angel without mentioning the massive strides he’s making towards creating inclusivity in the guitar scene.

Yvette’s musicality and soft, lilting phrasing make her one of the most unique and exciting guitar players I know. Whether alone or with her band Covet, on guitar or piano, she truly exudes her emotions in her playing.

Lari is the deadly combo of versatile session player and accomplished solo artist that makes the guitar world stand up and take notice. Whether shredding alongside major artists or her own solo work, she’s incredible at what she does.

You can’t have a conversation about the best modern shred guitarists without Jason’s name being brought up. His chops make every guitar player in the room applaud furiously while quietly going, “Oh, fuck.”

Alexandra is a surgeon, a true technician of guitar. I first learned about her from a Jason Becker cover and got sucked into her impeccable solo music. I’m even a paying member of her Patreon page because I love her stuff so much!

I hate to lump two such great guitar players in with each other, but I needed room on the list and what these two are doing for the world of guitar playing is absolutely undeniable. There aren’t a lot of people you can truly say are changing the game, and they are.

Not many guitar players switch from shredding Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin classics (complete with bow) to classical acoustic as seamlessly as Gretchen does. Her grace and poise while playing incredibly difficult pieces are a constant inspiration to me.

While not exactly new on the scene, I don’t think many of us really realized what Wolfgang could really do until the last few years. He has left absolutely no doubt as to his playing and songwriting, regardless of last name.

From Dethklok to Tony MacAlpine, Cirque du Soleil to Danny Elfman to her jazzy, progressive solo material and teaching at Berklee College of Music, Nili is truly one of the most versatile and accomplished guitar players on the scene. My most impressive Nili memory: We did a clinic together several years ago, where she asked the audience what song they would like to hear from any of her solo albums as the last song of the night, and then played the requested song — note for freaking note, not a slide or bend out of place.

Jared assaults every stage he plays on like a viking conqueror storming an enemy beach, yet somehow remaining affable and good natured throughout. His soul, tone and vibrato rival any career blues player. As an aside, I still refuse to believe he does all that without using a pick.