my interest in writing deceptively complex songs and of course Bach, as a composer is probably still my biggest influence. My older brother turned me on to classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Sabbath and Pink Floyd, which eventually led to me exploring heavier stuff like Metallica and Slayer. The Beatles have always been big for me, especially the later records. Certain guitarists like Pat Metheney and Ben Monder opened up new vistas and even classic jazz guys like Charlie Christian and Wes Montgomery blow my mind every time I listen to them. For me, inspiration is everywhere and always a reflection of where I'm at as an artist..." In another interview with TheGearPage.net, Masvidal spoke about his influences from classical music, jazz, ambient and experimental music:"I've always been greatly inspired by composers like Bach, Ravel and Jazz pianists, Keith Jarrett and Bill Evans, and Glen Gould who's Bach Goldberg Variations are some of my all time favorite things to listen to. There's also horn players like Charlie Parker, Coltrane, and Eric Dolphy. Pablo Casals, Cello Suites is one of my great joys, Brian Eno's ambient music speaks to me on multiple levels, and Ravi Shankar's records especially his experimental electronic records ...the list could go on!" In the same interview with TheGearPage.net, Masvidal spoke about his inspirations for playing the guitars:"My earliest (guitar) inspirations were Andres Segovia, John Williams, Django Reinhardt. Jimmy Page, Alex Lifeson and much of early Rush's catalog, Andy Summers with the Police and their early records, Steve Howe, Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen, and Steve Lukather. Then came players Alan Holdsworth, John Mclaughlin with Mahavishnu Orchestra. Some of John's solo records like 'My Goals Beyond' were huge for me, Robert Fripp and The League of Crafty Guitarists, King Crimson's Discipline record is one of my all time faves... Jason Becker' s Perpetual Burn, TJ Helmerich, Steve Vai, Warren Cuccurullo (Missing Persons, Duran Duran), Eric Johnson, Scott Henderson (Tribal Tech), Guthrie Govan, Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine)..." Personal life As an inventor, Masvidal filed a successful patent (Vidatak EZ Board US Patent No. 6,422,875) in 1999 (which was approved in 2002), involving a device to assist voice-disabled individuals. Masvidal's interest stems from his extensive volunteer work with AIDS patients, the terminally ill and the elderly in the Los Angeles area. During the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, Vidatak EZ Boards were donated to hospitals