Jeff Young

For other people with this name, seeJeffrey Young (disambiguation).

Jeff Young
Young in 2023
Background information
Born	(1962-03-31)March 31, 1962 Ann Arbor, Michigan,U.S.
Genres	Thrash metal,heavy metal,speed metal,blues,classical
Occupation(s)	Guitarist
Years active	1986–present

Jeffrey"Jeff"Young(born March 31, 1962) is an American guitarist. He graduated fromMusicians Institutein 1985, and is best known for his time with thethrash metalbandMegadeth,appearing on the 1988 albumSo Far, So Good... So What!(Capitol Records). In 1998, Young co-wrote, produced and played on the world-fusion albumChameleonbyBadi Assad.In addition to his subsequent music projects, he served as a writer forGuitar for the Practicing Musician.

Early life

Young was born inAnn Arbor, Michigan.In 1980, he graduated fromFairmont High Schoolin Kettering, Ohio, and moved toHollywoodto attendThe Guitar Institute of Technologyin 1984. He graduated from the Institute in 1985 and began his career as a guitar teacher.

Career

Megadeth

Newly hired Megadeth's guitarist Jay Reynolds (ofMalice) had commissioned guitar teacher Young to play all of his solos on the new album, transcribe the previous Megadeth releases, and teach him everything in time for the pending tours. Reynolds was one of Young's guitar students. However, after witnessing Young decipher previous guitaristChris Poland's solos fromPeace Sells... but Who's Buying?note-for-note in less than 30 minutes, frontmanDave Mustainedecided instead to hire Young. Young joined the band with only two weeks left in the recording schedule and contributed half of the guitar solos and multiple electric and acoustic rhythm parts to the album.

Young's career with Megadeth was spent recording and touring in support of their 1988 platinum selling album,So Far, So Good... So What!His first performance with the band appeared inThe Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Yearsas a member of Megadeth.

In 1989, Young was fired from Megadeth due to reportedly "contemplating putting the moves on Diana" (Mustaine's fiancé)Young said he told Mustaine that this was untrue but Mustaine fired him anyway.

Author and jazz & world fusion excursions

Following his time in Megadeth, Young wrote the cult-classic Fingerprints column inGuitar for the Practicing Musicianmagazine. He also began intensive study of the blues with legendary guitarist,Steve Hunter(Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed, Alice Cooper,Jason Becker).

For a portion of the 1990s, Young stepped away from his career to deal with the untimely deaths of first his father and later his mother while immersing himself in the further study of classical, flamenco, gypsy jazz and other world music varieties.

In 1998, he resurfaced with newBrazilianmusical partner and wife,Badi Assad.Together, the duo crafted exotic soundscapes for Verve/PolyGram records collaboration entitled,Badi Assad'sChameleon.The album (co-written, arranged, and produced by Young), climbed to the top of the world music charts in Germany & Holland also topping JAZZIZ magazine's Readers Poll: "Best Brazilian Albums of the Year."

Opening concerts for renowned artists includingJoe CockerandCassandra Wilson,as well as performances on 1999'sLilith FairandFarm Aid2000, Young's association with the Assad family also spawned songwriting collaborations with guitar luminarySérgio Assadand two pieces on Badi'sVerdealbum.

In 2003, the track "Waves" fromChameleonwas featured in the Michael and Kirk Douglas filmIt Runs in the Family,as well as on the movie's soundtrack.

Equilibrium

In late-October 2009, his debut solo album,Equilibrium,was released on CD worldwide, as well as cdbaby. Young began working on the album in 2000. Stylistically, the album featuresflamenco,classic,6 & 12 steel-string guitar styles as well as theelectric guitar.Equilibriumfeatures guest performances by Debby Holiday, Twinkle,Gilli Moon,Lenine,Matt Chamberlain,Hilary Jones,Tony FranklinandViviana Guzman.

Current projects

Young is the host of the Internet radio show Music Without Boundaries on the Spreaker broadcast network.

Young is currently writing, producing & releasing solo, instrumental music on the High-Tone Eleven Records label. His first, all instrumental album,Revolutions,is being released track by track with the singles, "Monsoon" – "In the Flesh" & "Slow Burn" available now via his official website & most digital distribution sources.Revolutionsfeatures performances from some of the world's top players:Tina Guo,Ric Fierrabracci,James LoMenzo,Brian Tichy,Jeff Bowders &Shane Gaalaas.

Personal life

Young overcametesticular cancerin 2006; he was treated byDr. Lawence Einhorn,the same physician who treatedLance Armstrong.

Discography

• 1988,Megadeth–So Far, So Good... So What!.
• 1998,Badi Assad–Chameleon
• 2003,It Runs in the Family(Soundtrack)
• 2010, Jeff Young –Equilibrium(Solo)
• 2013, Jeff Young – "Monsoon" (Solo single fromRevolutionsalbum)
• 2020, Jeff Young – "In the Flesh" (Solo single fromRevolutionsalbum)
• 2020, Jeff Young – "Slow Burn" (Solo single fromRevolutionsalbum)