Chris Sobkowich (GIT '94)

|    Jan 01, 2005

Guitarist Chris Sobkowich came to GIT from Canada armed with a college-level classical guitar education but looking for a way to turn his skills into a living. Since graduation, his goal has been fulfilled even as his music has strayed far from traditional paths. “I went right into recording with a band called Rumble Tribe,” says Chris, “and we released a CD in Japan and Europe. I also played on records with artists such as House of Lords and Nancy Sinatra. Since then, I have played with bands including The Bay City Rollers and Gene Loves Jezebel and I have also just started my own project called Clear. We just got out of the studio where we worked with legendary producer Andy Johns and are playing around LA. The next year looks very promising- we already have gigs booked with Matchbox 20, Sugar Ray and Duran Duran.”
As Chris looks back on his MI experience from a ten year perspective, he offers these thoughts: “Back home I had some success with guitar and won three big guitar competitions, but I really was a big fish in a small pond. When you come to LA it’s like jumping in the ocean. The education I received [in Canada] was valuable, but the unique thing about MI is that it is more directed towards getting out there and making a living playing guitar. Beyond how the curriculum is structured, I think the most powerful thing about MI is the interaction between all the great students from around the world and the outstanding teachers. You get a worldly view of guitar and music and because you are around so many talented, driven people. It makes you focus on what your strengths are as a musician, and from there you can make the most of it and set off in the right direction. I believe that my time at MI was part of the reason for my success.”
In the accompanying photo, Chris is on the left with Andy Johns (seated) and bassist Aaron Samson (formerly with ODEN).

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“More and more of the auditions I’m having for recording artists are turning out to be MI class reunions. The graduates of MI have been dominating the new, young music scene in LA”.

- Barry Squire
  Music Industry Talent Coordinator
  MI Hiring Hall Manager



MI alumni are working on stage, in the studio and behind the scenes around the world, with new stories arriving nearly every day. A sample of former MI students who have achieved industry recognition also includes:




Alessandro Cortini
Nine Inch Nails

Kalen Chase
Korn

Dave Kushner
Velvet Revolver

Rafael Moreira
Pink, Christina Aguilera,
Rock Star: Supernova

Mike Ward
Wallflowers, School of Fish

Kevin Hastings
Liz Phair

Pete Griffin
Hanson

Rivers Cuomo, Brian Bell,
Scott Shriner
Weezer

Curt Bisquera
Elton John, Mick Jagger,
Bonnie Raitt

Pete Anderson
guitarist, producer

Paul Gilbert
Mr.Big, Racer X

Norman Brown
recording artist

Scott Henderson
recording artist

Oscar Cartaya
Jennifer Lopez, Spyro Gyra

Alex Al
Tupac Shakur, Stevie Wonder

Keb’ Mo’
recording artist

Fred Clark
Chaka Khan, Ray Charles,
Stevie Wonder

Dave Weiner
Steve Vai

Jennifer Batten
recording artist, Jeff Beck,
Michael Jackson

Toss Panos
Steve Vai, Mike Landau,
Robben Ford

Frank Gambale
recording artist, Chick Corea

Kevin Dukes
Don Henley, Boz Scaggs,
Jackson Browne

Chad Smith,
John Frusciante
Red Hot Chili Peppers

Clayton Gibb, Les Falconer
Keb’ Mo’

John Shanks
Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt

Allen Hinds
Randy Crawford, Natalie Cole,
Crusaders

Jeff Buckley
recording artist

Scott Travis
Judas Priest

Ray Luzier
Korn, STP, Army of Anyone,
David Lee Roth

Matt Laug
Alanis Morissette, Slash

Ash Sood
Sarah McLachlan

Joacim Cans
Hammerfall

Leah Andreone
recording artist

Irene Gutierrez (DJ Irene)
DJ/producer/remixer/recording artist

T.J. Guger
Göla

Valerie Vega
Zomba/JIVE recording artist (France)

Ernest Tibbs
Alan Holdsworth, Natalie Cole

Toshi Hiketa
David Lee Roth

Travis Johnson
Dickies, TSOL

Jimmy Herring
Allman Brothers, The Other Ones,
ARU, Widespread Panic

Josh Sklair
Etta James, Jeffrey Osborne

Dan Caron
Clifton Chenier, Charles Brown

Jimmy Scott
Little Milton, Solomon Burke

Steve Kerscznic
Tom Jones

Brian Allen
Virgil Donati, Greg Adams

Meja
recording artist

Jesse Gress
music editor, Guitar Player Magazine

Sarah Hudson
recording artist

Chris Maloney
Dweezil Zappa, Lisa Loeb
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