ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO's Live Performance At New York City's The Iridium To Be Recorded For Future Release

On Sunday, October 25, ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO (AST) — led by TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick — will perform its final show of 2026 at New York's historic Iridium night club, an intimate setting where Les Paul played every Monday night since the '80s, occasionally with surprise guests including Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Paul McCartney.

Sunday's concert will be recorded for a future live release. Kicking things off will be Alex's friend, seven-string guitarist Ron Jackson, who'll perform in duo with Alex and then came out later to sit in with the trio.

"Prove You're Not A Robot" (2025, Flatirion Records) is the sixth LP by AST. The album spans a rich palette of sounds and textures with its mix of dazzling guitar work (on instruments ranging from a vintage 1935 Gibson L-00 acoustic to a pristine Sadowsky archtop to Alex's signature ESP line) and genre-bending arrangements. The album solidifies them as one of the most original voices in contemporary jazz crossover.

Alongside originals, AST reimagines classics with their trademark inventive touch, which over the years have included bold interpretations by the likes of SCORPIONS, AEROSMITH, Ozzy Osbourne and their latest album's first single, a haunting, odd-time swing rendition of Tom Petty's "Breakdown".

To quote Bill Milkowski of Downbeat: "He [Skolnick] adopts a flamenco mode on 'Armondo's Mood', a clever mashup of YES guitarist Steve Howe's 'Mood For A Day' and Chick Corea's 'Armando's Rhumba'. The angular 'Infinite Hotel' catches the trio in metal-bop mode, with Peck and Zebroski each turning in whirlwind solos along with Skolnick, who is deep in a John Scofield bag. The challenging and interactive title track is a throwback to Pat Metheny's 'Bright Size Life'. Alex's TRIO shows draw jazz aficionados and metal fans alike. With global festival appearances, critical acclaim from outlets like Billboard, Downbeat and Jazziz, and endorsements from artists such as RODRIGO Y GABRIELA, Ulf Wakenius, METALLICA and more, AST continues to expand the boundaries of what a modern jazz guitar group can be."

AST is:

Alex Skolnick - Guitar
Matt Zebroski - Drums
Nathan Peck - Bass

Alex Skolnick initially rose to fame as a teen prodigy with the thrash metal band TESTAMENT in the early '90s, bringing an unprecedented level of technique and harmony to the genre. He later studied jazz at The New School in Manhattan, earning a BFA and cementing his reputation as a versatile and independent-minded "guitarist's guitarist."

Earlier this year, Hal Leonard published his debut guitar method book, "Jazz-Rock Guitar Improvisation" (co-written with educator Dave Rubin).

Alex's first film score can be heard in the dark comedy/horror "Traction Park Massacre" directed by Douglas DiMonda and Adam Dubin. This week it was released on various platforms including Amazon, NOW and Apple TV.

And next month, Alex and TESTAMENT head to Mexico and South America for a month-long tour with IMMOLATION and MUNICIPAL WASTE.

But first, Alex and TESTAMENT vocalist Chuck Billy will be part of a special lineup of METAL ALLEGIANCE, along with Troy Sanders (MASTODON),Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER),Mark Menghi and Phil Demmel (KERRY KING, ex-MACHINE HEAD) in support the final show of Brazilian greats SEPULTURA on November 7 in São Paolo. The following day, Alex will give a guitar clinic at Rooftop Galeria do Rock.

As 2027 is shaping to be a busy tour year, including a spring European jaunt with MEGADETH and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and a North American support tour close to being announced.

Sunday night will be the last chance to catch Alex and the TRIO for some time.