Guitarist Neal Alger is known in Chicago for his consummate musicianship, versatility, and accompaniment skills. Alger has been heralded as “one of the most sensitive and creative guitarists in a city filled with them” by Howard Reich (Chicago Tribune) and has been described as “monstrously talented” by Christopher Loudon (Jazz Times magazine).
Neal graduated summa cum laude from Northern Illinois University with a bachelors’ degree in jazz guitar performance and studied with renowned virtuoso guitarist Fareed Haque. After college studies, Neal moved to Chicago in 1995 and established himself as an in-demand sideman and leader. Neal has performed or recorded with Lin Halliday, Howard Levy, Luciano Antonio, Don Stiernberg, Under the Streetlamp, Ed Thigpen, George Fludas, and most notably, singer/pianist Patricia Barber. Neal has toured Europe, the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Russia, and South Korea with Patricia and he is featured on her Blue Note Records releases Verse (2002), Live: A Fortnight in France (2004), Mythologies (2006), and The Cole Porter Mix (2008). Neal has also appeared on recordings by Chicago-based musicians/groups including New Black Renaissance, Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble, Typhanie Monique, Bad Sneakers Orchestra (Steely Dan tribute), William Kurk Enterprise, Keri Johnsrud, and Brian Gephart.
Neal’s newest project as a leader is the HERE AND NOW QUINTET which performs Alger’s original compositions which are documented on the 2024 release OLD SOULS on Calligram Records. Other ongoing projects are Neal’s Brazilian Jazz Trio which is dedicated to performing several varieties of Brazilian music (samba, choro, baiao, frevo, etc.) and his BLUE NOTE QUARTET which unearths classic and obscure compositions from the legendary Blue Note jazz record label. Past projects include an original rock band NEEDLES IN THE RED in which Alger sang, played guitar, and composed all of the music and lyrics. Neal also recorded three CD’s as a co-leader with vocalist Typhanie Monique, capitalizing on their intimate voice/guitar duo: Intrinsic (2004), In This Room (2007), and Yuletide Groove (2008).
Alger is a patient and nurturing teacher who treats every student as an individual and focuses on bringing their uniqueness and personal goals to the forefront. While there are certain tools which every music student learns, he understands that jazz and contemporary music form an enormous palette from which each musician draws something a bit different. Among Neal’s former students that are currently enjoying a successful music career: Casey Nielsen, Isaiah Eby, Cole Runge, Walter Sanchez, Cullen Bogan, and Aaron Day.
Neal is passionate about jazz education and has presented workshops at various universities in the Midwest. Two of Neal’s favorite topics to present are Pentatonics and Fourths in Jazz Improvisation and How to Create a Jazz Arrangement of a Pop/Rock/R&B Tune. Neal also maintains a full teaching schedule with guitar instruction at Roosevelt University, Elmhurst College and DePaul University.
