A blog around Tosin Abasi, his collaborations and music.

The jazz guitar is a central, yet often overlooked, element of modern music. Few guitarists have had the impact or developed the technique and style as Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Pat Metheny, John Scofield and countless others. They have changed the way in which we think about the instrument and its capabilities.

Tosin Abasi is one of those few whose influence on modern music will live on long after his time. His incredible technical ability and signature style has changed the way in which we hear music and has opened up new possibilities for guitarists everywhere.

This blog is dedicated to that man and his music: collaboration, education and innovation are at its heart.

The musical journey of Tosin Abasi is one that is truly inspiring. His G4 experience was the beginning of his journey with 8-string guitars, which later evolved into the Ibanez EDA 9.

Abasi’s music has evolved over the years, and his guitar style continues to amaze me. As a guitarist myself, it is always a pleasure to see how an artist can use their instrument as a way to express themselves artistically. The following blog will be an insight into Tosin’s musical journey and his collaborations with other artists such as Paul Reed Smith and Stephen Carpenter.

Tosin Abasi is a Nigerian American musician and the founder of the instrumental progressive metal band Animals as Leaders. He’s also known for being guitarist for metalcore band Reflux, and has formerly been a member of the technical death metal band Born of Osiris as well as the post-hardcore/experimental band PSI.

He grew up in Nigeria and his family moved to the United States when he was 9 years old. At age 12 or 13, he took an interest in heavy metal music and began playing guitar at age 14. He was influenced by bands such as Meshuggah, Cynic, Tool, Deftones, Death, and Sepultura. He attended Gaithersburg High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where he started playing guitar in a band called Damnation AD. After graduating from high school he went on to attend Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland along with several other members of Damnation AD.

Abasi was a member of the Washington D.C.-based band Reflux whose genre is classified primarily as metalcore with thrash metal influences. Tosin played on both Reflux albums: 2004’s The Illusion of Democracy and 2006’s The Dream Is Dead which features guest vocals from Randy Blythe of Lamb of

Tosin Abasi (born January 7, 1983) is a Nigerian American musician, best known as the founder and lead guitarist of the instrumental progressive metal band Animals as Leaders. He is also the guitarist for T.R.A.M., a side-project formed by members of The Mars Volta and Suicidal Tendencies, along with being the bassist in the hardcore punk band Reflux.

Abasi has been featured on Guitar World’s list of “The 50 Fastest Guitarists of All Time”, ranking at

The official website of Tosin Abasi, guitarist of Animals As Leaders, Washington D.C. Progressive Metal band and guitar virtuoso.

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