“PROVE YOU’RE NOT A ROBOT” (2025/MoonJune Records) is the sixth LP by Brooklyn based Alex Skolnick Trio (AST).

The album’s title has multiple meanings. On the one hand, it reflects the effort to hold onto our collective humanity in an era of increasing reliance on technology. Secondly, it represents the notion that the process of direct human interaction – particularly music that captures inspired improvisations and compositions, such as those heard on this LP – cannot be replaced with AI (which, as of this writing, is the latest and most disruptive development in tech). Additionally, the title refers to our time of unprecedented political polarization coupled by mass addiction to social media and people who exhibit robot-like behavior. Finally, it is a phrase that should be all too familiar to anyone who’s ever forgotten their online password, a situation humorously captured in the video for the title track (directed by Frankie Fulleda and featuring a cameo by the album’s photographer, Lamb of God vocalist D. Randall Blythe).

A variety of guitars were used on the recording, including a top-quality archtop borrowed (and later purchased) from famed builder Roger Sadowsky, a Gibson 335 style semi-hollowbody and Alex’s oldest guitar, a 1935 L-00 acoustic “parlor” style guitar (think Robert Johnson), the latter of which is featured on the uplifting “Guiding Ethos” and the closing ballad “Asking For A Friend.” While upright bass has been prime component for AST, here Nathan Peck’s bass is more than often electric (also a Sadowsky). Odd-time signatures are quite prevalent, in particular the title track, helping capture the flavor of the unusual time we’re all living in. Although original songs make up the majority of PYNAR, there are two quirky arrangements in the classic AST mold, including “Breakdown” (Tom Petty) and a mind-bending mashup no one saw coming, “Armando’s Mood,” which pays tribute the late piano master Chick Corea and Yes guitarist Steve Howe.

“I feel this album represents my strongest work as a composer, with several pieces written at the piano” the bandleader offers. “The soloing also went to new places for all of us. Nathan and Matt really brought their A-game throughout. I think it’s safe to say this is the record we’re all most proud of.”

Beginning in the early 2000’s, AST has become known for catapulting the jazz guitar trio format into new and interesting territory. With an unconventionally wide fluidity of diverse styles (tango, calypso, Western swing, electronica, Prince-inspired funk, to name just a few), the trio gained notoriety for it’s quirky but respectful arrangements of songs previously unmined by improvisers, including by the likes of Aerosmith, Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne and Kiss.

Comfortable in blurring the stylings of Wes Montgomery with Black Sabbath, Mssrs. Alex Skolnick (guitar and vocals), Matt Zebroski (drums), Nathan Peck (acoustic standup bass) are stellar virtuoso artists who thrive on playing challenging music in front of their fans. As a headliner, AST has enthralled audiences in at the Larvik Guitar Festival in Norway, the World Guitar Festival in Quebec as well as in Italy, The Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Austria. The audiences are made up of jazz aficionados and metal heads wanting to see what the lead guitarist from the thrash metal band Testament is up to. Their music has been heard in promotions for National Public Radio and more. Among their fans are Rodrigo Y Gabriela, who have brought the trio out as a support act at venues including Paris’s The Olympia, London’s Shepard Bush Empire and New York’s Radio City Music Hall.

Conceived as a sharp three piece ensemble uniquely inspired by the musical wanderings of Alex Skolnick, world-renowned lead guitarist and founding member of Testament, one of the most influential metal/thrash bands of all time. Yet those unaware of Testament are shocked by his backstory when hearing AST – or Alex’s work with PAKT featuring Percy Jones (Brand X/Brian Eno), Stuart Hamm (Steve Vai/Joe Satriani) – as his guitar work defies the odds of most with guitarists with similarly metallic associations. He also has the profound distinction of being one of the more successful breakout individual students of uber-guitar-hero Joe Satriani. Along with Charlie Hunter, Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett (Metallica) and Larry Lalonde (Primus).

Since the debut, AST had had an entire Jazz notes column in Billboard, garnered 4 ½ stars by Downbeat, reviewed by Jazziz, The Village Voice and has charted on the JazzWeek radio charts. Apple Music frequently features the group in its Spectrum playlist, with notable other jazz crossover artists such as Snarky Puppy, Mike Stern and Marcus Miller. Most recently the Trio enjoyed its status amongst the greats as an NPR Jazz Daily Pick feature. A perfect description comes in the form of a review by Downbeat journalist Bill Milkowski (well known for his bio on Jaco Pastorious Jaco): “Skolnick runs the guitaristic gamut from lush chord melodies to Wes Montgomery-style octaves to screaming Sonny Sharrock-esque skronking” (Jan 2017).

Line-Up:

Alex Skolnick (Testament, Stu Hamm, PAKT, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Jane Getter Premonition): GUITAR
Matt Zebroski: DRUMS
Nathan Peck (Maynard Ferguson, Maria Maldaur, Richard Cheese): BASS

After playing on live recordings with a number of artists from 2003 thru 2010 Donald Alford II felt it was time to produce his own record. In May 2010, as owner of Don J Music Productions, Donald released his first project, entitled “Chasing Dreams”. This inspirational jazz project resonates the sound and influence of instrumental jazz greats that have touched many lives around the world.

“Chasing Dreams” is the result of years of dreaming and chasing greatness. Donald Alford II received a vast amount of his musical inspiration from his father, Donald L. Alford Sr., an extraordinary songwriter, psalmist and composer. Growing up in Maywood, Illinois while attending his father’s church, Donald II learned to value and love great music by listening to some of gospel’s most influential musicians and artists.

As a young child, Donald found music to be one of his primary interests. He first began playing the guitar and later took interest in the bass guitar. While continuing to perfect his craft, Donald’s amazing skill provided him the opportunity to become a full-time musician, not only in his local church, but in other churches in the Chicagoland area.

Donald Alford II is no ordinary bass guitar player. His soulful expression has gained him notoriety and allowed him to tour with gospel greats, such as, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, BeeBee& CeeCee Winans, THE WINANS, Smokie Norful, Donald Lawrence, J. Moss, Walter Hawkins, De’Andre Patterson and Vashawn Mitchell. He has also performed with artists, such as, Pattie Labelle, Mary Mary, The Clark Sisters, Donnie McClurkin, Tramaine Hawkins, The Winans, Hezekiah Walker and Kim Burrell.

As his musical demand grew, he began writing and producing music with an infusion of various genres’ gaining him musical credit as a songwriter, composer and producer for artist’s such as Keyshia Cole “Trust” (Different Me), Syleena Johnson “Be Me” (Labor Pains Chapter 4) and being nominated for the 2010 Grammy’s for Charlie Wilson “Supa Sexxy.” Donald Alford II’s awards include being honored at ASCAP’s 23rd Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, recognizing the song “TRUST” as one of the top ASCAP songs on the 2009 year-end charts.