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Nels Cline: The Shape of Sound
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For nearly two decades,
Nels Cline
guitar, electricb.1956
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Cline's story is deeply intertwined with that of his twin brother, drummer
Alex Cline
drumsb.1956
The Rolling Stones
band / ensemble / orchestrab.1962
Jimi Hendrix
guitar, electric1942 - 1970
Cline's formative years were marked by an intense curiosity and an omnivorous musical appetite. He absorbed the sounds of jazz fusion, experimental rock, and classical composition, drawn to the improvisational energy of artists like
John McLaughlin
guitarb.1942
George Benson
guitarb.1943
For years, Cline made his home in the margins of the music industry, playing in free jazz ensembles, forming his own trios, and collaborating with artists like
Julius Hemphill
saxophone, alto1938 - 1995
Charlie Haden
bass, acoustic1937 - 2014
Vinny Golia
woodwindsb.1946
That changed in 2004, when Cline was asked to join Wilco, a band that was undergoing its own sonic transformation. The decision to step into an established rock group might have seemed surprising for an artist so deeply entrenched in the avant-garde, but Cline saw the opportunity as a challenge—a chance to bring his unique sensibilities to a larger canvas. The fit proved to be both unexpected and revelatory. His blistering, effects-laden solos and atmospheric textures added new dimensions to Wilco's sound, solidifying his place in the band's evolving identity.
At the same time, Cline never abandoned his own projects. He continued to explore new terrain through collaborations with
Bill Frisell
guitar, electricb.1951
Mike Watt
bass
Yuka C. Honda
keyboardsb.1960
Cline's solo work took on a new level of visibility when he signed with Blue Note Records, an unusual but fitting home for an artist who defies genre conventions. His first release for the label, Lovers (Blue Note, 2016), was an ambitious, large-ensemble project that reimagined jazz balladry through an avant-garde lens. His subsequent records, including Share the Wealth (Blue Note, 2020) and his latest, Consentrik Quartet (Blue Note, 2024), have further expanded his sonic vocabulary.
His newest release, Consentrik Quartet, is an album shaped by the tension between stillness and chaos, a reflection of both Cline's experience in New York and the creative isolation brought on by the pandemic. Featuring saxophonist
Ingrid Laubrock
saxophoneb.1970
Chris Lightcap
bassb.1971
Tom Rainey
drumsb.1957
At this stage in his career, Cline remains as vital and unpredictable as ever. His commitment to improvisation, his ability to navigate multiple musical worlds, and his knack for reinvention have ensured that he is not just a guitarist in a rock band, but a musician whose work continues to push boundaries.
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Radio & Podcasts
Nels Cline
Leo Sidran
Missing Piece Group
Wilco
Alex Cline
The Rolling Stones
Jimi Hendrix
john mclaughlin
george benson
Julian Bream
Julius Hemphill
Charlie Haden
Vinny Golia
Nels Cline Singers
Bill Frisell
Mike Watt
Yuka Honda
Cibo Matto
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Nels Cline Concerts
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Saccata Quartet
Solar MythPhiladelphia, PA
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