Lenny Breau

Jazz guitarist, born August 5, 1941, Auburn, Maine, died August 12, 1984, Los Angeles, California. Moved with his family to Winnipeg, Manitoba, when a child. Son of country artists Hal Lone Pine and Betty Cody, he found early inspiration in musicians like Merle Travis and Chet Atkins on traditional fingerpicking style, and later from Bill Evans when it came to harmonics and approach. Breau developed a unique playing style, blending country, classical, jazz, and flamenco - often in the same arrangements. He sought to continue the development of his playing styles by using custom made 7-string guitars. Throughout his career he struggled with alcohol and drug abuse. At the age of 43, he was found dead in a Los Angeles swimming pool. His death remains an unsolved homicide. In 1997, he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. The Berklee College of Music offers a course in his unique style, and he continues to be studied as one of the most innovative and influential guitarist who has ever lived. Randy Bachman considers him his most powerful influence.