Ab Menon

Upbeat, be-dreadlocked guitarman, Abishek Nikhil Menon, grew up a first generation Indian-American, in the exotic wilds of the South San Francisco Bay Area. He began playing guitar around age 12, and quickly developed interests in a number of styles, studying the basics of rock and roll, blues and jazz with several talented teachers in the area. From early on, Ab played with different groups, both as a band leader and a sideman. Later, he attended Sonoma State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies, under the direction of Randy Vincent. Throughout his college years he played with various groups, including SSU's jazz combos, Soup Sandwich and Trio Nebuli.

Ab joined Tempest in January of 2016, with an eye for the progressive side of things, coupled with an interest in the ornamental nature of Celtic and European roots music. After playing the works of groups like Yes, Frank Zappa, and Genesis, he developed an affinity for music with long forms and elaborate melodies.

In addition to his contributions to Tempest, Ab also occasionally works as a recording engineer, and plays with California Trad Jazz group The Dixie Giants, and with the local North Bay prog-bop band, Cabbagehead.

Currently, Ab is also offering guitar and keyboard lessons in a range of styles to students of all ages, at Speed of Sound Music in Healdsburg. If you're interested in lessons, you may contact him at ab.menon@me.com

Ab is passionate about food and enjoys cooking all kinds of things, including tasty dishes from the Southern Indian state of Kerala where his family is from. Ab also loves roasting his own coffee at home, and buys green coffee from a great place in Oakland, CA. (Ask him about it!) He also really enjoys riding his bike... so much so that he uses it as his main form of transportation about town, and also loves off-roading on single track trails, whenever he gets the chance.

Some of Ab's Favorite Things:
Favorite Books:
Tube Guitar Amplifier Essentials - Gerald Weber
To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Home Coffee Roasting, Romance and Revival - Kenneth Davids
Favorite Records:
Moanin' - Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
Axis: Bold as Love - Jimi Hendrix
Fugue State - Vulfpeck
Favorite Radio station: 91.1 KCSM
Favorite Podcast: Sweet Maria's Coffee Podast
Favorite Bread: Dutch Crunch

Equipment:
Guitar: G&L Legacy
Effects:
RMC-6 Wheels of Fire Wah
Maxon OD-9 w/ Analog.man Silver Mod
Analog.man Fuzz Face
Analog.man Beano Boost
EH Freeze
Strymon Mobius
Way Huge Supa Puss Delay
Way Huge Ring Worm
TC Electronic Polytune Mini
Xotic FX EP Booster
Decibel 11 Hot Stone Power Supply
Amp: Fender Blues Jr.

Partial Discography:
Red - Cabbagehead
The Come Sunday Sessions - Trio Nebuli
A-Salted - The Dixie Giants
Telegraph Ave. - Soup Sandwich