For fans of Al Nesbitt who have been anxiously awaiting his next move, Live in Seattle, the debut EP from Al Nesbitt & The Alchemy, promises to deliver something special. The advanced material from this EP gives evidence that this release is not just for guitarists and fans of guitar mastery, but also for a growing audience of listeners who have come to embrace the unique acoustic chemistry of Nesbitt’s instrumental compositions. Handily spanning musical genres that include Spanish, World, Pop, Rock, and Jazz, Nesbitt’s nylon-string acoustic guitar delivers visceral melodic themes that sweep listeners up and take them along on a mystical journey.
If you’ve seen the group live, I don’t really need to explain the impact that the ensemble has on an audience. However, for those who haven’t had the experience, let’s just say that their performances are not unlike the work of the ancient alchemists. The group’s efforts masterfully fuse the base materials of compelling and evocative melodies that flow through bold and sometimes shadowy musical frameworks buoying the listener along on a mystical journey, ultimately dropping them gently back into reality.
Live in Seattle captures Al Nesbitt & The Alchemy’s debut 2024 performance of five songs by four virtuoso instrumentalists: The well-known bass legend, Tony 'The Fretless Monster' Franklin; drummer, Curt 'Kirkee B' Bisquera, who has backed many musical giants; keyboardist and long-time musical collaborator, Jonathan Sindelman; and fiery nylon-string acoustic guitarist, Al Nesbitt, whose compositions provide a fertile launching pad for the group’s musical prowess.
Like so many powerful musical partnerships, the group came together around a gig. After accepting an invite from Seattle guitar icon, Tony Abreu, to open for his debut of Devilish Swing, Nesbitt found himself scrambling to pull an ensemble together due to the conflicting travel schedules of his usual Seattle players. Deciding to go big, he asked Franklin if he was available. The rest is history.
Nesbitt's compositions for A Million Shiny Things were inspired by macabre events and folklore that surrounds the many Hollywood celebrities who met up at L.A.’s famed Chateau Marmont, a hip hideout and notorious hangout for the rich and famous since the 1920s. A Million Shiny Things debuted at a one-night-only event held auspiciously on Friday the 13th at Madame Lou’s, Seattle's iconic Belltown music venue with its own ‘colorful’ past. The one-of-a-kind event turned out to be a genre-bending, mood-shifting, and downright spooky musical experience for the live audience. It not only captured the audience for the night, but also started a buzz about Nesbitt’s work. On the stage, the dynamic performance cemented the relationship between Nesbitt and the three virtuoso musicians that he had pulled together for the one-time performance at Madame Lou’s. “From the moment we took the stage, it was obvious something special was happening”, recalls Nesbitt. “We immediately recognized the powerful connection that we had with each other, the music, and with the audience.”
The A Million Shiny Things event set the stage for the Live in Seattle EP, where Nesbitt’s compositions were inspired by a more personal connection with Chateau Marmont–his own experiences at the famous Hollywood haunt. “Each of the rooms has its own personality,” he explains. “For example, the hotel’s room 53 is on the fifth floor overlooking the Sunset Strip. It’s special, and from the moment I was checked in, I felt a connection to the space and all that had happened there before me. I immediately opened my guitar case on the bed and started writing, piecing together ideas.” Nesbitt’s ideas come alive in the Room 53 single, recently released from Live in Seattle.
No stay at the Chateau would be complete without some personal indulgence; Perhaps an opportunity to disappear from the scene for a while, a mysterious tryst, or an adventurous night of debauchery with an alluring companion. But, as with so many of the hotel’s patrons, Nesbitt’s recollections of his personal adventure there are incomplete, and his ability to recall the events and timing is hazy. “Honestly, a lot about the weekend is a blur, but so often inspiration is fleeting. It's about being somewhere different doing different things,” he says. “As it was happening, I knew I had that music in me. I just hoped that it would all stick.” The events of that evening–the ones that Nesbitt can recall–became his inspiration for the next released single, The Lost Night.
For Nesbitt, making the recording of Live in Seattle was something special. “It was magical,” he recalls. “With minimal rehearsal, we were able to create a very unique live experience–strong musically, but also fluid and flowing. I’m so happy to have been able to make music with these legendary players. They were able to key into the dynamic nature of my compositions and be totally in tune with the emotion I was going for–be it a freight train or a quiet passage, the music never loses its intensity. Working with such gifted players in a live setting, well, it was just the ultimate inspiration for me.”
To keep the live feel of the event, tracks were mixed with minimal touch-ups. “We wanted to preserve every sonic aspect of a truly live experience,” Nesbitt recalls, “It was magical, and we wanted to capture that.” To that end, Nesbitt engaged master mix engineer and multiple Grammy award recipient, Steve Smith, to oversee the final production. “Steve’s work has been just beautiful. Everything has its own space in the mix, but each track becomes very cohesive and big when it needs to be.”
Nesbitt cites guitarists, Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin, as among his major influences and plays an unmodified Godin Grand Concert ACS-SA nylon string electric-acoustic on the Live in Seattle recording. “I love the sound on stage and the way the ACS-SA plays,” he says. Recently, Nesbitt has met with Godin designers about his ideas for custom Grand Concert design that would include the addition of two extra frets to extend the upper range on the E, B, and G strings.
Al Nesbitt & The Alchemy’s Room 53 and The Lost Night singles have been released and are available on the major streaming services including on Spotify. Three more songs will be available with the official release of the EP along with a bonus video for The Lost Night all scheduled to release on Friday, July 25th at 12am EST.
Cinema-quality video releases that include the official videos and promotional materials are available at the group’s Youtube channel where listeners can subscribe for more live sessions, behind-the-scenes clips, and exclusive content. For the most up-to-date details on performance dates and special events visit alnesbittalchemy.com. The group’s EPK provides detailed information about the band and contact information for booking.
2025 has been a busy year for Al Nesbitt & The Alchemy with the planned release of their debut EP Live in Seattle. Expect even more from this remarkable band in 2026 with more new music and more live shows.
