I havent written in in awhile, so I thought that I had better keep you all updated! First of all thanks to all of you for your continued support! I have had a great response from the ‘Live @ The Basement Album’, it was ranked 1st at Guitar 9 records. Also last year I was nominated for an award back in the Southern part of New Zealand where I was raised. The award was for ‘Ambassador Of The Year’. I was very happy to have won it and I thank everyone back in NZ who still listen and check out whats been happening. On another note I am 3 songs into a new studio album, and I can tell you know that I think that I am currently playing and writing the best that I ever have. So watch out for updates on that.. I hope to release it in November this year. All of my guitars needed some TLC so I took them into Ibanez headquarters here in Sydney and they were kind enough to give them all a tidying up. The white JEM needed all the frets replaced as I had played it that much that the frets had worn down to nothing… it was like playing a fretles guitar! So I get that back in the coming weeks. Also I went to Los Angeles about a month ago… to check it out and to potentially do some things/gigs/classes etc in the near future. It was an amazing experience and I am definitely going back to do gigs etc. At the moment I am focusing on doing gigs internationally as well as a few other things in the works. Thanks again for all the support! I am so very very grateful! Its freezing in Sydney now… so if your in Sydney, turn your heater on and keep warm!! thanks everyone and talk soon, cheers Khan

Dr Matt Warnock

What is it about Australia that just breeds world-class guitarists? Often considered an “out of the way” country because of its distance from the Western world, Oz has produced some of the finest pickers of the past fifty years. Guitarists such as Tommy Emmanuel, Frank Gambale and up and comer Adam Miller have become household names on both sides of the Pacific. In recent years another name has emerged to stand alongside these Australian guitar giants, Khan Manuel.

As a player, Manuel’s approach to the instrument is highly influenced by his love of composition. Yes the guy can shred with the best of them, but that’s not the focus of his musical output. He tends to focus more on developing melodies, letting the technical side of things act as a contrast, an energetic burst that only accentuates each melodic phrase even further.

Drawing from jazz-fusion, rock, metal and classical music in his playing and writing, Manuel’s style is unique, yet locked into the musical tradition at the same time, a duality that allows his music to speak to a larger audience than just the shred-guitar loving crowd.

Aside from being an accomplished performer and composer, Manuel is also a highly-respected guitar pedagogue and author. His ebook Guitar Insights, which is free by the way so go download it now!, is an in-depth treatise on the guitar in its modern context.

Providing enough information to keep any guitarist busy for a lifetime, the book offers everything an up and coming guitarists needs to get their technique and harmonic-melodic knowledge up to par.

With his first album The Knight and ebook receiving so much attention, as well as recently signing an endorsement deal with Ibanez and recording with Frank Gambale, it’s no wonder that Manuel is turning heads and catching ears everywhere he plays.

Check out the rest of the article and interview here -

http://guitarinternational.com/wpmu/2010/09/27/khan-manuel-insightful-guitarist/

KM webmaster

KM Webmaster

KM webmaster

Well its been a long time since I have written in to keep you updated, geepers its been just over 6 months… I haven’t quite been doing nothing Apart from having a bit of time out, I have just finished writing my second book entitled ‘Unlocking The Modes’ which will be available here at the website www.khanmanuel.com and Amazon. In addition I have recorded an audio instructional mp3 that is more like a seminar that goes for approx 1hr that will be available from khanmanuel.com also. Over the past 3 months I have been doing alot of gigs around Sydney with duos/covers etc.. But the main thing that I have been focusing on is the recording world famous guitar legend Frank Gambale. I have studied Frank since I was young, I have his DVD instructionals and books and have studied his style for the past 15 yrs. Frank is a pioneer of the electric guitar and as well as winning a Grammy is known worldwide to be one of the top guitarists over the past 20 yrs! A few months ago I started working on a ballad which is now entitled ‘When Two Become One’ and approached Frank of the possibility of him playing on it. Frank agreed and we have just completed the recording which will be released very soon. It is so awesome to have recorded with Frank and is really really for-filling…! Thanks heaps mate  and thank you to everyone that supports me and my music I really REALLY appreciate it! I have been advised by high profile people in the music/guitar industry to move to New York or Los Angeles but have made the decision to live and stay here in Australia… but to travel abroad to perform my music all over the world.. Thank you all again and God Bless,

Khan

July 8th is the date for The Basement gig down in Circular Quay. One of the leading
establishments for live music in Australia, be sure to come down for a great evening.
Joining me on stage are some of Australias finest players. On bass, Chris Soulos, who
has played with the likes of Jermaine Jackson (Michael Jacksons bro, from Jackson 5)..and many other well known Australian artists too. On drums is the extraordinary Guy Hughes from House of Kings, who also holds the
record for Sydneys fastest drummer so watch out for some quality drumming. And
magical European virtuoso guitarist Oles Yurakov covering the other guitar parts. Below is
a link to the website… be in quick for the earlybird tickets for a discount because theres
not many!

http://www.thebasement.com.au/

See you there!

Khan

Regular readers of my blog may remember me raving about Sydney guitarist Khan Manuel and his debut album The Knight. The future’s looking a lot brighter for this local virtuoso - he’s just signed a two-year endorsement deal with global guitar giant Ibanez. He is currently the only Australian guitarist to be endorsed by the iconic brand.

The deal with the international instrument manufacturer promises to secure many opportunities for the local lad. It paves the way for Khan to conduct clinics with Paul Gilbert (Racer X, Mr. Big) and perform with other world-class Ibanez guitarists, including Joe Satriani, George Benson, and Steve Vai.

“I have played Ibanez guitars for as long as I can remember and have always used them as my main guitar,” Khan said.

“This endorsement is probably one of the best things that can push an instrumental guitarist’s career forward. It really is a dream come true for me and it will open up so many doors.”

Khan credits Kurt Schramm, Adam Goglis, and the rest of the team from Australis Music Group, Australia’s largest independent musical instrument distributors, for their assistance in securing this historic deal.

Congratulations to him on this latest success! It sounds like the sky’s the limit!

to be the feature guitarist for the month of May.

Here goes a link to the website:

http://www.indieguitarists.com

I also had an interview with Monica Yonge the founder of the site. You can check out the interview

here:     http://www.indieguitarists.com/indieguitarinterviews

Thanks to Monica for the support, and a great website for guitarists,

Khan

To read, click on link below:

http://www.ozmusicscene.com/q-a-with-khan-manuel

I am very proud to announce that I have just been endorsed by legendary guitar company Ibanez!!!
Ibanez also sponsors great players like Joe Satriani, George Benson, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Pat Metheny to name but a few, and this really is a dream come true for me!

A huge thank you goes to Kurt Schramm, Adam Goglis and the rest of the team down at Australis Music Group, without you guys this wouldn’t be possible.

I have played Ibanez guitars since as long as I can remember and have always used them as my main guitar. I have owned many models …Steve Vai Jem, 7V white, Floral Jem, Satriani model JS100, GIO, Acoustics… heaps and all have been comfortable to play. If you are a Jazz enthusiast then I would highly recommend the George Benson model, its such a beautiful Guitar! Or if you are more into the Shredding side of things then possibly the Steve Vai Jems, Satriani models, RG series and also the Sabre models. All are a treasure to play and if you havnt already done so, try them for yourself, I guarantee that you wont be disappointed!

Once again thankyou to everyone that sends emails of support, I really do appreciate it and it makes
me work even harder to get the very best out that I can deliver!

Until next time,

Khan