vk artist profile -...
TRANSCRIPT
VINAY KAUSHALComposer. Guitar Player. Music Educator.
Vinay Kaushal is a Composer, Guitar Player and Music Educator based in India. He
has been a student of music for as long as he can remember. He graduated from the
Musician's Institute, Hollywood which is home to the prestigious Guitar Institute of
Technology (GIT) in Los Angeles. Vinay's playing boasts of a unique stylistic versatility
with a repertoire that includes genres like the blues, funk, jazz, rock and fusion.
Although, not necessarily in that order.
Having always enjoyed composing, Vinay writes music with intricacies that are rarely
stumbled upon. His guitar recitals have a unique artsy accent to them, while his
compositions are discerning of his individuality.
He has performed in venues in the heart of Hollywood including the prestigious Wiltern
Theater in Los Angeles. Blue Frogs, Hard Rock Cafes, Shisha Jazz Café and the
National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai along with festivals like NH7
Weekender and Sula Fest have been some of his favourite performances in India so
far. Getting up on stage gives him a high he says. With an incredible amount of live
playing experience and studio work, Vinay is an all-round master of his art.
Vinay is all about writing and composing original music and is associated with quite a
few popular acts. He is the principal song writer of the Vinay Kaushal Collective, a
vehicle for his own compositions, and also for the world music act Empty Café. He
composes for and produces alternative rock act Passing Thought. He is affiliated with
acts such as Winit Tikoo, Taal Inc (an African Rhythm Ensemble), Luke Kenny, Riligion,
Jaagar and many more.
Vinay takes a keen interest in teaching and has been conducting workshops at the
well renowned National Centre for Performing Arts. He is also on the faculty of
Furtados School of Music and is immensely popular with his students. Other than
when he is obsessing over his instrument, Vinay enjoys reading and experimenting
with recording and mixing techniques on Pro Tools and Room Acoustics.
HOLLYWOOD DAYS
In September 2011, Vinay applied to and got accepted at the Musician’s Institute,
Hollywood. Based in the heart of Hollywood, MI is rated the #1 Guitar School in USA, and
one of the best Contemporary Music Schools in the World. MI is a training ground for a
serious student of music covering everything needed to be a great musician.
During his stint at MI, Vinay got to learn from all his favourites- Scott Henderson, Daniel
Gilbert, Ross Bolton, Paul Gilbert and a chance to meet and interact with John Scofield, Pat
Martino, Guthrie Govan, Larry Carlton and Tommy Emmanuel. To sum up his music school
days, Vinay says “It was amazing! There were legends walking around, there was knowledge
flowing, and there was inspiration everywhere you looked”.
Vinay peered into the depths of Harmony and Theory here and learnt every way to master
his guitar playing. He, naturally, also learned all about Songwriting and
Composition. Performance was a critical part too. The school trained him to be able to cope
with any real world situation that one might come across and how to be a good improviser.
He performed twice a week in the school at the very least, and every now and then
at popular watering holes.
Jazz Legend Herbie Hancock, presided over the graduation
ceremonies when Riligion was the featured act at the
prestigious Wiltern Theater. Playing to an audience of 2500
music enthusiasts, Vinay remembers this as his favourite gig!
GEAR
Vinay uses a Fender American Strocaster, Martin Acoustic guitars,
Fender Acoustic guitars, ZT Amplifiers, Line 6 Effects,
Xotic Effects, Jackson Guitars.
