Tommy Emmanuel is an Australian guitarist, known for his complex fingerstyle technique, energetic performances, and the use of percussive effects on the instrument. Born on May 31, 1955, in Muswellbrook, New South Wales, Emmanuel began playing guitar at the tender age of four, guided by his mother's musical influence and the guitar-playing of his older brother, Phil. Showing prodigious talent, Emmanuel started working as a professional musician in his early teens and by the late 1970s, he was a sought-after session player in Australia.

With a career spanning over five decades, Tommy has carved out his own niche as a virtuoso guitarist and a master entertainer, earning a place among the finest fingerpickers in the world. He was even designated a Certified Guitar Player (CGP) by his mentor and idol, Chet Atkins, a title given to only a handful of players by Atkins himself. Emmanuel's discography is extensive and diverse, including solo albums, collaborations, and live recordings. His releases, such as "Accomplice Two" and "Live from the Balboa Theatre", showcase not only his technical prowess but also his ability to cross musical boundaries, often blending elements of country, rock, and jazz. The "Accomplice Series" exemplifies his love for collaboration, featuring various artists and highlighting Emmanuel's flexibility and creative dialogue with musicians from various genres. His renditions of classic tunes like "Fields of Gold" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" are lauded for their innovative arrangements and emotive delivery, underscoring why Tommy Emmanuel remains an iconic figure in the music world.

Genres

Fingerstyle

Instrumental Bluegrass

Jazz Guitar

Related Artists

Chet Atkins

Leo Kottke

Andy McKee

John Williams

James Taylor

Mark Knopfler

Joe Robinson

Antoine Dufour

Don Ross

Todd Rundgren

Ry Cooder

Doc Watson

Latest Release

Tommy Emmanuel | OurVinyl Sessions

Tommy Emmanuel•

OurVinyl

Ep - 4 Tracks - Released September 30, 2024