Jimmy Leslie
Jimmy Leslie is the former editor of Gig magazine and has more than 20 years of experience writing stories and coordinating GP Presents events for Guitar Player including the past decade acting as Frets acoustic editor. He’s worked with myriad guitar greats spanning generations and styles including Carlos Santana, Jack White, Samantha Fish, Leo Kottke, Tommy Emmanuel, Kaki King and Julian Lage. Jimmy has a side hustle serving as soundtrack sensei at the cruising lifestyle publication Latitudes and Attitudes. See Leslie’s many Guitar Player- and Frets-related videos on his YouTube channel, dig his Allman Brothers tribute at allmondbrothers.com, and check out his acoustic/electric modern classic rock artistry at at spirithustler.com. Visit the hub of his many adventures at jimmyleslie.com
Latest articles by Jimmy Leslie

“My Martin and Joey’s Gibson Are on All of Our Records. We Consider Them Members of the Band”: Kenneth Pattengale on the Milk Carton Kids’ Key Acoustics
By Jimmy Leslie published
The Martin signature artist reveals the inspirations and inner workings of his Grammy-nominated folk guitar duo

Molly Tuttle Wins Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album With ‘Crooked Tree’
By Jimmy Leslie published
The bluegrass star’s deluxe edition of ‘Crooked Tree’ drops with Grateful Dead-centric bonus cuts

Grab Your Acoustic, Sit Down at the Piano, and Advance Your Fretboard Logic
By Jimmy Leslie published
Here’s how to use the fretboard and keyboard for a deeper understanding of both

"Albums Are Still Our Art Form... They Are What We Are Going to Leave Behind”: David Crosby on His Epic Recording Legacy
By Jimmy Leslie published
The acoustic legend delivers guitar insights into his classic period and final album, 'For Free'

‘GP’ Presents Django Reinhardt Birthday Celebration on Saturday, January 21, in Berkeley, CA – Win Tickets!
By Jimmy Leslie published
'Guitar Player' welcomes a gang of Django-style virtuosos including Stephane Wrembel and Mimi Fox to the historic Freight & Salvage for a full weekend of shows and clinics

“After Years of Experimentation, I’ve Boiled It Down to the Simplest Format”: Steve Dawson Shares Some Expert Advice on Recording Acoustic
By Jimmy Leslie published
The acoustic virtuoso reveals his favorite way to mic a guitar, how to achieve a clean slide sound and more

21 Top New Blues Guitarists As Chosen By You
By Mark McStea, Jimmy Leslie, Joe Bosso, Matt Thayer published
Meet the young guitarists who are shaping the blues for a new generation of players

Rory Block and Eric Johanson Talk Recording Organic-Sounding Rhythm Tracks
By Jimmy Leslie published
Get some pro tips on how to make your grooves sound more lively and less metronomic

‘GP’ Presents Warren Haynes & the Last Waltz on Friday, December 2 in Oakland, CA – Win Tickets!
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
‘Guitar Player’ welcomes a killer cast including special guest Taj Mahal to the fantastic Fox Theater

“Keep Going Until Everybody Knows Who You Are”: Rory Block Talks the Blues
By Jimmy Leslie published
Koko Taylor's “Little Miss Dynamite” gives blues women their due on new album ‘Ain’t Nobody Worried,’ with acoustic covers of Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Chapman, Elizabeth Cotten and more

“It’s Hard to Tell the Difference": Get a Close Look at Rich Robinson’s Intricately Aged Signature Martin D-28
By Jimmy Leslie published
Video Mirroring the Black Crowes guitarist’s treasured 1954 Dreadnought, this heavenly re-creation is “the first model that Martin has ever made as a visual and sonic representation of an artist’s personal instrument”

Taylor 514ce Urban Ironbark Grand Auditorium Review
By Jimmy Leslie published
A bold re-imagining of a modern classic in the 500 Series

'GP' Presents John Petrucci on Monday, November 7 in San Francisco, CA – Win Tickets!
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
'Guitar Player' welcomes the Dream Theater guitarist to the City by the Bay

Get a Close Look at Jerry Garcia's Iconic "Alligator" Strat in this Encyclopedic Grateful Dead Guitar Collection
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
Grateful Guitars Foundation's arsenal includes Garcia’s 1955 “Alligator” Fender Stratocaster and 1943 “Jerry’s Herringbone” Martin D-28

Three Ways to Play the Grateful Dead Classic “Friend of the Devil”
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
Video Have fun learning one of the greatest acoustic tunes ever penned by psychedelic songster Jerry Garcia

Here's the Truth About Jerry Garcia’s Misidentified 1943 Martin D-28
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
Why the Grateful Dead frontman’s highly collectible and historic Dreadnought is not a pre-war D-18

“I Love Guitars and the Music Industry, but I See a Lack of Innovation”: Lava Music Visionary Lu Zitian On Bringing Smart Guitars to the Masses
By Jimmy Leslie published
The guitar devotee is on a mission to inspire everyone to create

CloudVocal iSolo GT-10 Wireless Microphone Pickup Review
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
Any and all acoustic guitars from classical to vintage become unleashed with this thrilling electronic innovation.

Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone Review
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
An impressive jack of all trades mic for vocals or guitar.

Acoustic Recording Made Easy: How to Choose and Use the Best Mics
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
Producer Mikel Ross schools us on how to get the best results in the studio.

Taylor 724ce Koa Grand Auditorium Review
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
For the everyday player who appreciates a lighter, freer, more touch-sensitive tone

GP Presents Joe Satriani on Sunday, October 2 in Oakland, CA – Win Tickets!
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
Guitar Player welcomes the icon’s Earth Tour to the fabulous Fox Theatre

Acoustic Tips for Electric Players
By Jimmy Leslie published
How to maximize that big hollow box

“I Loved That Feeling of Trying to Improve as a Player”: Jack Johnson Dives Deep Into His Enchanting New Record, ‘Meet the Moonlight’
By Jimmy Leslie published
The oft-imitated Hawaiian with the hallmark rhythm hand talks signature style

“The Guitar Is an Endless Exploration”: Acoustic Legend Peter Rowan Looks Back on a Lifetime in Music
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
The Americana treasure connects bluegrass luminaries from Bill Monroe, Jerry Garcia and Tony Rice to Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle, both of whom join him on his new album, ‘Calling You From My Mountain’
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