List of famous guitarists born in Southeast Asia, ordered alphabetically with photos when available.
Many of those Southeast Asian guitarists are legends within the music world, and every of them has their very own progressive playing style.
If you play acoustic or electric guitar, these famous Southeast Asian guitarists needs to be people you admire.
These are a number of the best guitarists to ever play the instrument, and whether or not they play rock, blues, metal or folk, these men and ladies are considered legends.
NICK DRAKE
Nationality: England
Place of birth: Rangoon, Burma
Nicholas Rodney Drake – referred to as Nick Drake – was an English singer, songwriter and musician, known for his acoustic guitar-based songs. He failed to seek out a large audience during his lifetime, but his work steadily gained wider recognition and appreciation.
Drake signed to Island Records on the age of 20 while a student at Cambridge University, and released his debut album Five Leaves Left in 1969.
ELY BUENDIA
Nationality: Philippines
Place of birth: Philippines, Naga, Camarines Sur
Eleandre Basiño Buendia, popularly referred to as Ely Buendia, is a Filipino musician, author and director who rose to fame because the guitarist, songwriter and lead vocalist of the favored rock band Pinoy Eraserheads.
LEFT MAN
Nationality: Malaysian
Place of birth:Malaysia
Man Kidal (Kidal is the Malay word for left-handed), whose real name is Abdul Rahman bin Mahmood, was born within the southern state of Johor, Malaysia. Hime received the title of “left-handed” because he earns money by playing the guitar along with his left hand.
He began his musical activity in 1979, when he joined the group “The Lefthanded”, whose name was modified to Lefthanded Group.
JOEY SANTIAGO
Nationality: United States of America
Place of birth: Manila, Philippines
Joseph Alberto “Joey” Santiago is a Filipino-American guitarist and composer. Active since 1986, Santiago is best referred to as the lead guitarist of the American alternative rock band Pixies.
ABDEE COUNTRY
Nationality: Indonesia
Place of birth: Indonesia
Abdee Negara is an Indonesian guitarist, backing vocalist, songwriter and record producer. He is best referred to as the guitarist of Slanka together with fellow guitarist Ridho, and has also played with many guitarists at home and abroad, including Paul Gilbert.
BALAWAN
Nationality: Indonesia
Place of birth: Gianyar Regency, Indonesia
Wayan Balawan, higher known by his single Balawan, is an Indonesian guitarist and songwriter. He is best referred to as the guitarist of Batuan Ethnic Fusion and his ability to play the double-neck guitar.
IAN ANTONO
Nationality: Indonesia
Place of birth: Malang, Indonesia
Jusuf Antono Djojo or Ian Antono is an Indonesian guitarist and songwriter. He has collaborated with many other musicians including Anggun, Iwan Fals, Nicky Astria, Doel Sumbang, Gito Rollies, Ebiet G Ade and Ikang Fawzi. Since 1974, he has been best referred to as the lead guitarist of God Bless.
MOHAMMAD RIDWAN HAFIEDZ
Nationality: Indonesia
Place of birth: Maluku, Indonesia, Asia, Southeast Asia, Ambon
Mohammad Ridwan Hafiedz or Ridho is an Indonesian guitarist, backing vocalist and songwriter. He is best referred to as the guitarist and backing vocalist for Slanka together with fellow guitarist, Abdee Negara.
MARCUS ADORO
Nationality: Philippines
Place of birth: Philippines
Marcus Antonius Corpuz Adoro is the lead guitarist of Eraserheads, probably the most popular bands within the Philippines through the alternative rock explosion of the Nineties.
He currently performs under the stage or band name Markus Highway, or “markups” for his closest friends
TOHATI
Nationality: Indonesia
Place of birth: Jakarta
Tohpati Ario Hutomo is an Indonesian jazz guitarist and songwriter. He is referred to as probably the most famous jazz guitarists in Indonesia. He has collaborated with many Indonesian musicians similar to Glenn Fredly, Indro, Arie Ayunir and Shakila.
BIG BUDDY
Nationality: Philippines
Place of birth: The city of Zamboanga within the Philippines
Hector “Buddy” Avanceña Zabala is the bassist of Filipino latest wave band The Dawn, indie band Cambio, and widely referred to as the bassist of the previously disbanded and now reunited alternative rock band The Eraserheads.
GODDESS BUDJANA
Nationality: Indonesia
Place of birth: Indonesia, Sumba, West Sumba, regency
Dewa Gede Budjana or Dewa Budjana is an Indonesian guitarist, songwriter and composer. He is the most important guitarist and songwriter of the band Gigi.
GROWING MANSOR
Place of birth: Singapore
Rosli’s eclectic musical profession has taken him through a wide range of genres, each out and in of the studio as a recording and live session guitarist, in addition to a soundtrack composer for Singaporean short movies, plays and cable television.
His versatility and abilities are further proven by his latest endorsement from legendary amplifier giant, Marshall Amplification, together with many other major brands on the list, each past and present.
Released in 2007, Dragged was not only his debut, but was also Singapore’s first full-fledged rock and instrumental album with guitar. His second and follow-up album Deeper Than Purple was released in 2010 to rave reviews in local newspapers TodayOnline, Business Times and others.
CLAPROTH FRAME
Place of birth: Bandung, Indonesia
He began playing guitar at age 10, discovering licks from Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert King from his record collection.
At the age of 14, he founded the band Jaque Mate along with his two younger brothers Arya and Joshua. He was obsessive about the blues for years and took blues lessons from his now father-in-law, Indonesian blues guitar legend Alpha de Fretes.
In addition to his band, Jaque Mate Rama can also be an endorser and clinician for Fender Musical Instruments in Indonesia.
ZEE AVI
Nationality: Malaysia
Place of birth: Miri, Malaysia
Zee Avi, PBK is a Malaysian singer-songwriter, guitarist and ukulele player.
She can also be the winner of The International Youth Icon Award in 2011 from her home in Sarawak, which has led to inspiring speeches to young people around the globe. She has lived and sold albums all around the world
LIKE ISAACS
Place of birth: Rangoon, Burma
Ike Isaacs was a jazz guitarist born in Rangoon, Burma, best known for his work with Stéphane Grappelli. Isaacs was self-taught and commenced playing professionally while studying chemistry at university.
In 1946 he moved to England, where he worked as a freelancer for a few years; he played within the BBC Show Band and in addition with George Chisholm and Barney Kessel.
EKACHAI JEARAKUL
Place of birth: Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
Ekachai Jearakul is a Thai classical guitarist, born in Ubonratchathani Province, Thailand. At the age of 13, Ekachai studied guitar with Kiattipong Tangsakul at Yamaha Ubonratchatani.
REX GOH
Place of birth: Singapore
Rex Goh is a rock guitarist. In 1972 Goh moved to Australia. He was a member of assorted groups including Air Supply, QED and Eurogliders.
Goh has also toured and recorded as a session guitarist with Savage Garden, Randy Crawford, Tom Jones, Guy Sebastian and Daryl Braithwaite.
Source : https://www.ranker.com/list/guitarists-from-sutheast-asia/reference?ref=search
