Lawson Rollins

A virtuoso guitarist, Lawson Rollins plays with fast, classically proficient finger-style technique and a cross-genre aesthetic that brings together elements of Latin jazz, Brazilian music, Eastern music, flamenco, and some rock sounds. A native of North Carolina, Rollins studied at Duke University before earning his graduate degree from the London School of Economics. In 1998, Rollins relocated to Washington, D.C., where he formed the Latin fusion duo Young & Rollins with guitarist Dan Young. The duo released several well-received albums, including 2000's Salsa Flamenca, 2001's Sevilla, 2005's Esperanza, and 2006's Mosaic. In 2006, Rollins moved to San Francisco to pursue a solo career. He released his debut solo album, Infinita, in 2008. Two years later, he returned with Espirito. Elevation followed in 2011, and in 2013 Rollins delivered his fourth solo album, Full Circle.