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Sam Coulson

English Canadian musician Sam Coulson, is a dynamic guitarist renowned for his blend of technical prowess and emotive style. Sam quickly developed a deep passion for guitar, exploring genres from rock and blues to classical. Sam gained prominence as the lead guitarist for supergroup ASIA, where his contributions to the band's sound were celebrated by fans and critics alike, showcasing his ability to deliver electrifying performances on both stage and studio recordings.

2012 saw Sam on the roster performing and instructing at Paul Gilbert's prestigious Great Guitar Escape alongside Guthrie Govan, Tony MacAlpine, and Paul himself. Gilbert praised Sam for his vibrato, feel and lightning fast alternate picked pentatonic lines.  On Paul's recommendation, Sam took up lead guitar duties as rock and roll hall of famer, Steve Howe, departed 80's supergroup ASIA.

In 2013, Sam was the only non-original member of ASIA. Sam's new peers included John Wetton (King Crimson/Wishbone Ash), Geoff Downes (Yes/Buggles), and Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake and Palmer).  For the next six years, Sam would extensively tour Europe, Japan, and America with his debut at Sweden Rock with an audience of 30,000. Other highlights include an arena tour opening for Journey and recording two ASIA albums and a live DVD featuring the Plovdiv Opera Orchestra.

In 2018 Sam embarked on a new journey as the lead guitarist for the Queen musical, We Will Rock You. Vetted by Brian May and Roger Taylor, Sam toured North America including the show's New York debut at renowned Madison Square Gardens.  

2020 and through out the pandemic, Coulson focused on developing his vocal style and found his home fronting his own blues rock band, following in the footsteps of his heroes Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, and Jimi Hendrix.  September 6th 2024 marked the release of his album, Gold Watch Blues, which has the unmistakable British blues stamp with a prog rock edge. 

Sam is a highly sought-after session musician and collaborator, contributing his skills to numerous studio recordings and live performances across the music industry. As a composer and songwriter, Sam's solo releases and collaborations showcase his creativity and musical depth, earning him a dedicated fan base.

Continually evolving and exploring new musical avenues, Sam Coulson remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of his craft. His passion for music and commitment to excellence make him a prominent figure in music today.

News

Clinic Alert- Technique and Tone 

You can catch Sam April 9th presenting a clinic on technique and tone. This clinic is put on as part of a series by the Calgary Guitar Collective and will be held at the Inglewood Community Association Hall from 7:10-9:10 p.m. Tickets through eventbright. 

Overview

A live guitar clinic with Sam Coulson, plus Q and A, player focused takeaways, and a proper hang. All levels welcome.

Spend an evening with Sam Coulson, the English guitarist known for his time as lead guitarist in Asia and for touring as the…

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03/13/2026

BIG NEWS - The Guitar Lesson 

Check out the latest album The Guitar Lesson - A compliation of classical pieces by some of my favourite composers, all played on the electric guitar.  You can find this album for purchase as a digital download in my store. 

12/20/2025

Blues In Britain Feature 

Thank you so much to Blues In Britain magazine for two amazing articles, one in the December issue and one in the January issue.  December reviews Sam's latest album and the January issue contains a lovely feature article.  Make sure you check out their magazine!

02/15/2025

Celebration For The Arts 

Sam will be joining an incredible group of musicians on Oct. 4th to Celebrate the Arts at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. Tickets Available on the Arts Commons website. 

09/30/2024

Gold Watch Blues Album Release 

Sam's third album, Gold Watch Blues, releases today. Check out the store portion of the website to purchase a copy of any of Sam's albums. 

09/06/2024

Events

Previous events

Apr9

Technique and Tone Clinic - Calgary Guitar Collective

Inglewood Community Association Hall, Calgary

Overview A live guitar clinic with Sam Coulson, plus Q and A, player focused takeaways, and a proper hang. All levels welcome.

Spend an evening with Sam Coulson, the English guitarist known for his time as lead guitarist in Asia and for touring as the lead guitarist for the Queen musical We Will Rock You, a role he has described as being vetted by Brian May and Roger Taylor.

This is a practical, play along in your head kind of clinic. Sam will break down how he thinks about tone, timing, touch, and musical choices, then open it up for Q and A, stories from the road, and some fun surprises.

Whether you are a beginner trying to stop sounding stiff, or a strong player looking for better feel and control, you will leave with ideas you can use immediately. And because this is Calgary Guitar Collective, you will also meet other local players who are keen to learn and actually show up.

Sam has a long history of teaching and clinic style content as well, so expect clear explanations, not vague guru talk.

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