“In the valley of the son of a proud church musician, a skillful, loud noise erupts from six simple strings. Kendall Lee Gilder plays guitar. Music is his craft and is deeply woven into his spiritual fiber. Sprouted from the small town of Casa Grande, Arizona, a three year old Kendall Gilder toddled onto the music scene by way of the church. Although Kendall’s love for the guitar obviously prevailed, he was initially stricken with a fascination for drums and at the age of four, his parents provided him with a set. For a time, growing up, he played the drums for his church but would often come home to watch videos of Stevie Ray Vaughn with his dad. Somewhere between watching his father play guitar and simultaneously replaying snippets of Vaughn’s performances on PBS’s Austin City Limits in his head, a passion was born.”

“Regular exposure to the music of Stevie Ray and a few other popular guitarists inspired young Kendall to pick up one of his dad’s guitars (along with an instructional book) and just start playing. The day his fifteen year old hands got a hold of his very own Electra Les Paul, a gift from his parents, he knew he’d found his musical mate. A year later, he was playing guitar at his church and not long after that was headed across the country in a 15-passenger van full of musicians with a gospel artist by the name of Eddie James. He has since immersed himself in Gospel, R&B, Blues and Rock guitar styles, occasionally stopping along the way to experiment with improvisational jazz sounds.”

“In addition to guitar and drums, Kendall also plays bass and keyboards. Playing multiple instruments has added much versatility to his guitar style as well as enhanced his skill level. He often thinks like a keyboard player which explains some of his chord and melody choices. His admiration for artists like, renowned Jazz and Gospel guitarist, Chalmers “Spanky” Alford and Prince, matched with an overall appreciation for Rock and Blues music, also contributes a certain “edge” to his style that sets him apart from many of his R&B and Gospel peers. ”

“Although he’s no stranger to live performances (with artists such as Yolanda Adams, SWV, Melissa Morgan and Donnie McClurkin), Kendall feels most at home in the studio, creating and watching things come together. Some of Kendall’s talent has been captured on the recorded works of Isreal & New Breed (Generation Love), Eddie James (Free to Worship) and Freddie Jackson (Back Together Again). And most recently, he shared touring stages with Jennifer Lopez, Sheile E, Sister Sledge and Isreal & New Breed. Some of the past artists that he has toured, played or recorded with include: Melanie Fiona, Kindred the family soul, SWV, Ashanti, Deborah Cox, Donnie McClurkin, Isreal Houghton & New breed, Freddie Jackson, Dominic Amato and many more. I also do session work and various local gigs in LA including R&B live and First church of God in Christ which are both streamed live via the internet. As far as Kendall is concerned, it’s all about the music. He has no need for explosive ligh”