Thorsten Praest

Thorsten started playing guitar at the age of 10 after seeing KISS live in concert. He took classical guitar lessons, taught himself electric guitar techniques and joined his first band INSESSION when he was 14 years old. After years of practise and playing in bands like BIG BROTHER and RIOT ACT he went to the MGI (Munich Guitar Institute) to study jazz/rock guitar. To expand his insight into jazz and improvised music he started to study jazz guitar at the HKA (Highschool of the Arts) in Arnhem/Nederlande after his graduation from the MGI. During that time he played in numerous bands and projects with a stylistic range from rock, funk to jazz. The band HÜHNERFRIEDHOF was founded during these days and is still one of Thorsten's most important musical playgrounds. Besides that he's a member of the metal/nurock band COLDSEED. In addition to that Thorsten works as a freelance musician playing live/studio sessions and teaches guitar at different music schools. In 2008 Thorsten won the “Guitar Fight Club” – the first nationwide guitar contest of that kind in Germany. With GUT Thorsten combines high energy rock playing with sophisticated harmonic and improvisational concepts.