Chicago-based guitarist, Kyle Asche, returns with an all-star trio for his highly anticipated third album as a leader, with Five Down Blues.

This swinging album includes original compositions by Asche as well as tunes by Horace Silver, John Patton and more. Following in the tradition of his predecessors, Asche has been steadfast in maintaining a soul-jazz style that has continued to be popular into the 2000s.

Born in 1979 in Columbus, Nebraska, Asche was fortunate to hear recordings by such legends as Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Pat Martino, and George Benson at a young age. While in his mid-teens he was part of a master class conducted by Russell Malone that initially inspired him to become a professional guitarist. He attended Northern Illinois University from 1997 to 2001, studying with contemporary jazz guitarist Fareed Haque and crossing paths with Chicagoans Bobby Broom, Henry Johnson, and Mike Allemana. Asche began his professional career in Chicago in 2001.

He has performed with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center, Melvin Rhyne, “Killer” Ray Appelton, Chris Foreman, Victor Goines, George Fludas and Ben Paterson. Now, some 20 years into his tenure in Chicago, Asche is an active and caring music educator, he has held the jazz guitar faculty position at Loyola University. Performing with Bob James and Chris Potter, Asche was a semi-finalist in the prestigious 2005 Thelonius Monk International Guitar Competition.

That same year his debut CD, The Hook Up, was issued by the Origin/OA2 label. His follow-up, Blues For Mel, arrived in 2009 on the Tippin’ label, before going on to collaborate with Ben Paterson (organ), Mike Schlick (drums), Jake Vinsel (bass), as The Skinny, on 2012’s Dig On It album.

For Five Down Blues, a blistering set of tunes perfectly suited for the trio format, he is joined by Pete Benson on organ and drummer George Fludas.

TRACKS

Five Down Blues

Dorothy

Pretty Eyes

Delirium

Light, Life, Love

Never Let Me Go

Dirty Fingers

Dig Deep