Allan Holdsworth (1946–2017) was a British guitarist, violinist, and composer renowned for his groundbreaking work in jazz fusion and progressive rock. Recognized for his advanced understanding of melody and harmony, he revolutionized guitar playing with complex chord voicings, innovative chord scales, and seamless legato phrasing influenced by his original desire to emulate saxophone lines. Holdsworth contributed to influential groups such as Soft Machine, U.K., The Tony Williams Lifetime, Pierre Moerlen's Gong, and Bruford, and forged a distinctive solo career that explored multiple genres. Known for his expressive use of the SynthAxe guitar synthesizer, Holdsworth's inventive approach inspired generations of guitarists across rock, metal, and jazz, earning high praise from peers including Frank Zappa and Robben Ford.