Posted on: January 9, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Twenty-three years after graduating from MI”s Guitar Institute of Technology, veteran rock and world music guitarist Jeff Young is returning to his alma mater as an instructor beginning in January, 2008.

After completing GIT in 1985, the Michigan native briefly taught guitar before joining Megadeth in 1987 to record and tour behind their platinum album So Far, So Good…So What! While Young found himself in the exciting epicenter of thrash metal, his own musical tastes extended well beyond that genre. After leaving Megadeth and immersing himself for several years in studies of classical, flamenco, gypsy jazz and other world music styles, he resurfaced in the late 90s with a new musical partner, Brazilian singer, songwriter and guitarist Badi Assad. His three-year collaboration with Assad (1997-2000) resulted in their dual recording Badi Assad – Chameleon, a #1 hit in Europe. The two opened concerts for such artists as Joe Cocker and Cassandra Wilson and performed at Lilith Fair in 1999 and Farm Aid in 2000.

In recent years, Young successfully fought testicular cancer and focused on completing his solo recording debut, Equilibrium, which will feature his work on flamenco, classical, six- and 12-steel string acoustic and electric guitars. The album is set for release in 2008.

Since opening its doors in 1977, Musicians Institute has primed over 20,000 musicians, producers, engineers, vocalists and industry professionals for successful careers in every genre of contemporary music. Located just blocks from the Capitol Records tower, MI has an incredible history of innovation dating back to its origins in 1977 as the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT), which broke new ground as a performance-based contemporary music school taught by working professionals. Within a few years, GIT was joined by bass and drum programs to form Musicians Institute and the evolution has continued to this day with degree and certificate programs for career-minded guitarists, bassists, drummers, vocalists, keyboardists, recording engineers, independent producers, guitar makers, music business professionals and filmmakers.

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