Jason Richardson

Jason Richardson is an American heavy metal guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and teacher from Virginia. Known for a highly original, deeply technical style on seven and eight string guitars, he began establishing his reputation when he joined All Shall Perish while in high school. The son of a musician, he took piano lessons in the fourth grade. While he could emulate what his teacher was doing on the keys, he couldn't learn to read music at the time. In fifth grade, he experimented with violin and drums, with the kit serving as his main instrument. He wanted to learn guitar so he could write songs. His father gave him a gothic black Gibson Les Paul at the age of 12 and he practiced endlessly. He became obsessed with Dream Theater (particularly the song "This Dying Soul") and resorted to cutting lawns and doing odd jobs so he could purchase a seven-string instrument. He bought his first at 14 and began developing his inventive technique while in the band Gallows Hill alongside future Veil of Maya bassist Danny Hauser.

Richardson eventually answered a trade ad to audition for All Shall Perish. He left high school three months before his scheduled graduation and hit the road for ten months with All Shall Perish. While his band was touring with Born of Osiris, Richardson filled in for Tosin Abasi, who had a scheduling conflict. While All Shall Perish had time off, Richardson began his tenure with Born of Osiris. He remained with the group for two years, and played on 2011's Discovery.

Richardson eventually toured with deathcore act Chelsea Grin, filling in for departing guitarist Michael Stafford. He was unceremoniously fired from Born of Osiris at the end of 2011 and fully joined Chelsea Grin, helping write the EVOLVE EP and full length album Ashes to Ashes. He remained with the band until departing amicably in late 2015.

The guitarist next crowdfunded his debut solo effort, I, quickly reaching his goal and amassing $33,000 for the album. He played most of the instruments himself and enlisted help from friends including drummer Luke Holland, vocalists Spencer Sotelo(Periphery) and Lukas Magyar(Veil of Maya), guitarists Rick Graham, Nick Johnston, Jacky Vincent, Mark Holcomb(Periphery) and Jeff Loomis(Arch Enemy). The self released album sold around 7,200 units worldwide in its first week.

Since the release of his first album Richardson has come out with a signature Ernie Ball Musicman guitar, guitar amp simulation software and had the honor of teaching at every one of John Petrucci's(Dream Theater) guitar instruction camps alongside the likes of guitar legends such as Tosin Abasi(Animals as Leaders), Guthrie Govan, Kiko Loureiro(Megadeth), Mateus Asato, Andy James(5 Finger Death Punch) and many others.

Richardson also received the honor of being featured on the cover of Guitar World's 20 best guitarists of the decade coming in at the #11 spot right after John Mayer!

Richardson is also now a full time member of the gold and platinum selling band, All That Remains.