I've been a fan of the guitar since a childhood so long passed I can scarcely remember it. The first Guitar Player magazine I ever purchased read "Who is Eric Johnson and why is he on our cover?" because Ah Via Musicom had not even come out yet. Thousands of players and trillions of notes later I thought I had seen just about everything that there in this wide-necked world but I've never seen anything like Nate Lopez. We're going to have to break him down into pieces to even make sense of what's going on here: MUSICIAN You can tell that his roots are diverse and deep. The smell of smokey blues wafts from a towering house of jazz, and the backbeat of the funk can damage weak spines, but the ingredient that you can't quite identify is the time he spent studying at the Ali Akbar College of Music. Respect, dedication, knowledge, discipline. A musician's musician. I have seen him play with well-rehearsed ensembles and spur of the moment assemblages of one to eight other musicians with little more than a four count to get ready for an impromptu performance. He breathes through the instrument the way most people speak their native language. I've seen him do originals, pop tunes, classics, and covers that he has remade into something new altogether. (See "8 String Wizard" below). I've watched him get a room dancing and I've seen him melt into the background of a small event, completely out of consciousness. He has a gift for understanding the space, the role of the music, and reading the reaction of the audience. That's a special talent. 8 STRING WIZARD He has reportedly courted the drums, horns, and piano, but the stringed instruments own his heart. He loaned his upright bass to his mom, who gigs out with it often, but still plays the carbon fiber steel string he inherited from a beloved mentor with verve when he needs an instrument capable of standing up to inclement weather when he's playing an outdoor gig. He plays banjo, ukulele, banjolele, bass, guitar, an Indian slide guitar with sympathetic strings that I've never seen, and all varieties of bass and guitar, fretted and fretless. All this would be enough to merit applause but it is the 8 string guitar that sets him apart from anyone else I have ever witnessed. His earliest professional work reportedly was as a bassist. That role in the music suited him, but he found the range of the instrument limiting. His explorations on the six string opened up new vistas, but the loss of the bass clef was an acute injury. Like Jaco, Les, Eddie, and other innovators before him, he experimented with instruments that he modified himself, always tinkering, always trying, always searching. Then the hybrid guitar landed on him and everything changed. EAD bass strings over ADGBE guitar strings on the same neck give him sonic opportunities completely beyond possibility before. He virtually never plays with a pick, always finger style, so the hybrid guitar allows him to play both bass and guitar on one neck. The casual observer may or may not notice that there's just more music coming from the guitar player and drummer than can be explaned, but the musicians stop everything to stare in disbelief. TEACHER It can be very intimidating to approach someone so advanced. No one is born expert. Some are more talented than others, but everyone that's any good has years of dedicated study and practice behind them. I have seen, and have been, one of many who have come to Nate for guidance or lessons, in addition to all the pros who come to play with him as a peer, and I have never caught a whisper of the attitude that typically comes with this level of expertise. He delights in the achievement of everyone he plays with, on guitar, on other instruments, the most serious professional, and the kid who doesn't even know which way the neck goes yet. He just gets a quick read on where you are and what you want to achieve and he illuminates the path. That's something I've never heard of in any of the other greats before. Who am I? His most jealous fan. Thanks for the music and the lessons and the kindness, Nate. You make us all better players. read more

Nate Lopez - 8 Strings of majesty at Russian River Brewing - Performing Arts Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

Walked into Heritage Public House about six months ago and discovered Nate and his 8 string guitar. So good! I have since caught him at a few venues across Santa Rosa and can highly recommend him. read more

I saw a picture of Nate on a friend's Facebook page and there was something about him that made me ask, "Who is that guy?" We were looking for a musician to perform at our wedding ceremony, so we went to hear him play at one of the many local restaurants/wine bars where he performs. We liked what we heard (he's really good) and hired him without talking to anyone else. He played his guitar as guests arrived, and then handled the whole ceremony for us flawlessly, playing the songs we had picked out. He can get other musicians or singers if you need them (we didn't) and comes fully equipped (we used his microphone and amp for our ceremony). He is totally reliable, easy to communicate and work with, and just an all-around righteous dude. Highly recommended! read more

Nate Lopez - Nate Lopez at my wedding. Photo by Liz Foote. - Performing Arts Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

my friend and I were out in a rainstorm and landed on 4th street downtown Santa Rosa one night. We walked into a beautiful little spirits bar and I heard someone playing outside under the covered patio..Blues came wafting through the door and it was as if a magnet had attached itself to us and was pulling us out to see who this was. Nate was playing Blues like I hadn't heard in a long time. I'm a blues singer, and felt the connection that comes from the soul..he was gracious to us, his groupies for that night, and let me sing one with him. I'll never forget that night..it was beautiful and due entirely, to his playing in a rainstorm. Magical. read more

I've known Nate since I worked for La Crema, and that was the first time I heard him play at our events, and was so impressed that I bought every CD! I saw him play a few more times and bumped into him when he was playing at Farmer's Market/Bars - and after I saw him I was HOOKED and said YOU HAVE to PLAY at my WEDDING! His music moves you to the core. When he played me down the aisle as I walked down with my father, his music just melted me. His finger tips glaze over those strings like molasses and its the sweetest, most angelic music you would hear. I still have his CD's in my car and play him constantly! I recommend him to anyone. He plays it all - from oldies to current, to the favorites, he truly MADE my wedding so memorable, and I will continue to be a life long fan! read more

I've been taking guitar lessons from Nate Lopez for a little over a year now and I have never had a better experience while learning. Each day Nate brings in a new instrument, a new topic and a new lesson. I have been a singer my entire life so I was slightly more then shocked when I realized how little I understood about music. Nate patiently explained that music isn't about theory or finding the right notes and pitches- music is a constant groove present in our day to day lives. While Nate brings new enthusiasm to each lesson inside of the practice room at Bananas at Large, Nate is constantly reaching out with support; coming to my gigs outside of Santa Rosa and always being another musician I can count on. Nate Lopez has been a huge inspiration and mentor, and I know he will continue to teach and inspire for the rest of his life. read more