Trey Anastasio is an American musician, composer, and vocalist best known as the lead guitarist for the rock band Phish. Anastasio has been praised for his creative songwriting and innovative improvisations. He has released several solo albums and collaborated with a variety of artists, including his own band, the Trey Anastasio Band. Throughout his career, Anastasio has won numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy Award in 2020.
Early Life
Trey Anastasio was born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1964, to parents Ernest and Dina Anastasio. He was raised in Princeton, New Jersey, and attended public schools there until the age of 16, when he transferred to the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut. Anastasio was an avid musician from an early age, playing guitar and drums and performing in local bands. He attended the University of Vermont, where he formed Phish with fellow students Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon, and Jeff Holdsworth.
Musical Career
Anastasio’s career with Phish lasted from 1983 to 2004. During this time, the band released 11 studio albums and toured extensively, becoming one of the most successful live acts of the 1990s. Anastasio also released several solo albums, including “Surrender to the Air” (1996) and “Shine” (2005). He has collaborated with a variety of other artists, including Bob Weir, Dave Matthews, and Béla Fleck. He has also composed music for the Broadway musical “Hands on a Hardbody”.
Personal Life
Anastasio has been married twice and has four children. He is an active philanthropist, supporting a variety of causes, including the WaterWheel Foundation, which he founded in 1997. He is also an avid environmentalist and has spoken out against climate change. In 2020, Anastasio won his first Grammy Award for Best Improvised Jazz Solo for his performance on “Mr. Completely”.
Trey Anastasio is an accomplished musician and composer who has achieved success both with his band Phish and as a solo artist. He is a passionate philanthropist and environmentalist, and his music has been praised for its creative songwriting and innovative improvisations. Anastasio continues to be an influential figure in the music world and is sure to have many more accomplishments in the years to come.