About

George Bellas is a Visionary Composer, Recording Artist, and Architect of Music. He is proficient in melody, harmony, rhythm, orchestration, and form. He composes for all instruments in futuristic, contemporary, and classical aesthetics. His catalog includes more than twenty-five albums released worldwide.

George creates immersive musical worlds. His compositions are characterized by cinematic and progressive overtones, shades of neoclassicism and late romanticism, and emotive vocal arrangements seamlessly woven throughout. He exhibits profound compositional and technical mastery while possessing an exceptional command of melody, harmony, rhythm, and orchestration, all expressed with extraordinary finesse. He is equally adept at improvising fluently within a myriad of harmonic schemes or composing sophisticated music in a variety of styles, all with remarkable ease.

Bellas is a prolific visionary composer with an intense passion for creative writing. All of George's compositions are written directly from his imagination and captured into a recording system using keyboards and other instruments, or notated on staff paper. He draws inspiration from science, astrophysics, mathematics, and humankind’s most profound questions and the enduring mysteries of the universe. These inspirations give rise to richly evocative musical landscapes that transport listeners into vivid musical worlds. His compositions incorporate a diverse range of musical elements, including odd meters, polyrhythms, a vast harmonic language that draws from all eras, intricate counterpoint, dense orchestrations, soaring lyrical melodies, impassioned improvised solos, and unconventional song forms.

In The Beginning

George Bellas started playing guitar at the age of 7 on a classical guitar his father had bought him. On the way home from getting the guitar, in the back seat of the car, George started to play. When he got home, he ran all around the neighborhood playing his new guitar. The next day at school George checked out every single music book in the school library, went home, and began his quest to obtain an absolute understanding of music theory. A very early source of musical knowledge and inspiration for George was Walter Piston's 'Harmony' and 'Counterpoint' books along with Ted Greene's Single Note Jazz Guitar books. As a child, George began practicing extensively right away, to the point that his fingers would bleed. Determined and highly motivated, he would put band-aids on his bleeding fingers and continue practicing.

George began performing live at an early age and gigged extensively with his bands: Union Jack, Destiny, FreeFall and Prodigy, all the while advancing his education by constantly studying music theory, harmony, rhythm, counterpoint, form and composition. George began teaching guitar in his early teens and shortly thereafter opened a teaching academy called "Prodigy's School Of Music". During this time he continued to perform live with his bands and compose a seemingly endless amount of music. George had an affinity for classical counterpoint and odd rhythms very early on which are now a unique signature of his style.

Throughout his teens and early 20's George exercised an extreme amount of discipline and practiced obsessively on a Fender acoustic guitar with .013 - .058 gauge strings. It was during this time that anybody who met George saw his black and green fingertips of hardened nail-like strength. One year, while on the way to the NAMM show, Photographer Ross Pelton could not believe George's fingertips; he exclaimed they were unlike anything he had ever seen before. George was a machine, completely unstoppable in his relentless pursuit of mastery.

By the mid-1990s, George’s reputation as both a visionary composer and virtuoso guitarist attracted international attention, leading to his signing with Shrapnel Records in 1996.

"George Bellas' debut release is an album of intensely heavy compositions with odd-time meter and neo-classical, progressive overtones. Bellas led the way for a new breed of guitar players as he explored the outer realms of cutting-edge guitar music. This release also features Deen Castronovo on drums."

Signing with Shrapnel Records

Bellas sent a demo of his newly written album "TURN OF THE MILLENNIUM" to Shrapnel Records and President Mike Varney immediately recognized George's exceptional talent and versatility. Shrapnel Records signed George as a solo artist in 1996 and flew him out to California to record his debut album. The musicians recording the album were: Deen Castronova, Drums; Kevin Chown, Bass; Matt Guillery, Keyboards; Brad Kaiser, Drums; Mike McCarron, Drums; George Bellas, Guitar, Bass, and Keyboards. The recording of the album was completed in December of 1996 and his debut album "TURN OF THE MILLENNIUM" was released on May 21, 1997.

George's debut album "TURN OF THE MILLENNIUM" was composed using paper and pencil on five-line music manuscript paper one note at a time before ever touching a musical instrument. Some of the music was hand-written in a car while driving across the USA in a convertible. Other songs were written outside in the back of George's home while sitting and basking in the sun.

Joining UFO

Shortly after signing with Shrapnel Records, George received a call from Mike Varney asking if he would be interested in joining UFO. After hearing George’s playing and distinctive songwriting abilities, Phil Mogg and Pete Way selected him as the band’s guitarist and songwriter.

George began traveling to Pete Way’s home, where he collaborated with Phil Mogg and Pete on writing and arranging the songs. After several writing sessions, the band traveled to San Francisco to record the album. Recording took place in February 1997 at Prairie Sun Recording Studios in Cotati, California. The lineup featured Phil Mogg, vocals; Pete Way, bass; Aynsley Dunbar, drums; George Bellas, guitar; and special guest Eric Martin (Mr. Big), vocals. Due to legal considerations, the project was released under the name MOGG/WAY, with their debut album, "EDGE OF THE WORLD".

Between the releases of “Turn of the Millennium” and “Edge of the World,” George composed and recorded another album, this time for the exceptional vocalist John West. The album, which is entitled "MIND JOURNEY" featured John West, vocals; George Bellas, guitar; Barry Sparks, bass; Mike Terrana, drums; and Matt Guillory, keyboards. Recording took place in January 1997 at Prairie Sun Recording Studios in Cotati, California, and James Murphy’s Sound Temple Studio. The album was released on Shrapnel Records in May 1997.

George Bellas finished his 4th album "MIND OVER MATTER" for Shrapnel Records in November of 1997. It is an instrumental neoclassical album rich in classical counterpoint and virtuoso guitar playing. The line up is: Deen Castronovo, Drums; Barry Sparks, Bass; and George Bellas, Guitar and Keyboards. "MIND OVER MATTER" was released in February of 1998.

Bellas’ latest effort "Mind Over Matter" leads the way for a new breed of neo-classical guitar players. With a solid resume and exceptional skill as a guitarist, George Bellas will amaze even the most accomplished musician.

George also composed the music for John West’s second album, “PERMANENT MARK,” which was released on Shrapnel Records during the second quarter of 1998. Although George did not perform on the album, his compositions were recorded by the featured musicians.

In March 1998, world-renowned classical pianist Vitalij Kuprij traveled to George’s studio to record the instrumental album “EXTREME MEASURES” for Shrapnel Records. George engineered all of the guitar and keyboard recordings at his studio. The album is a virtuosic neoclassical collaboration featuring Vitalij Kuprij and George Bellas, alongside Jon Doman, drums, and Jon Onder, bass. It showcases extraordinary technical mastery, sophisticated musicianship, and inspired performances throughout.

"The performances are top notch... and some absolutely FACEMELTING solos from Vitalij on the keys and George Bellas on guitar."

Early 2001 – George recorded “THE ORACLE” with the newly formed band Ring of Fire. The lineup featured Mark Boals, vocals; Vitalij Kuprij, keyboards; George Bellas, guitar; Virgil Donati, drums; and Philip Bynoe, bass. Recording sessions took place at Bellas Music Studio, Steve Vai’s The Mothership Studio, Eric Norlander’s Think Tank Media Studio, and The Green Room. The album is a powerful collection of finely crafted songs distinguished by soaring neoclassical melodies, rich harmonic progressions, dynamic rhythms, and exceptional performances from every member of the band.

Late 2001 - George completed the development of a 12 CD-ROM guitar course called "The George Bellas Instructional Series". This course is designed for guitarists interested in developing greater technical proficiency. The George Bellas Instructional Series breaks down fundamental components of specific areas of technique and focuses in on key elements to improve one's skills on the guitar. The course includes twelve individual categories of music principles and guitar-specific techniques.

During the Fall of 2002, George recorded and released another album called "HUNDRED YEAR FLOOD" with the progressive rock group "Magellan". The band members are Trent Gardner, Keyboards/Vocals; Tony Levin, Bass; Joe Franco, Drums; Ian Anderson, Flute; George Bellas, Guitar, and others. The album ‘Hundred Year Flood’ was released September 10, 2002 on Magna Carta Records.

Following years of acclaimed recordings, international collaborations, and an ever-expanding catalog of original music, George entered a new creative chapter that would further define his artistic voice and compositional vision.

"Ordained "Master of Neoclassical Guitar of the 2000's" by his peers, George Bellas has released his best and most impressive solo effort to date in 2003 with his latest album, Venomous Fingers. Bellas has produced an amazing collection of intensive, instrumental tracks that feature his masterful guitar work. Bellas reaches new heights on this album with his compositional depth and musical quality..."

Signing with Lion Music

George’s album “VENOMOUS FINGERS” is released November 18, 2003 on Lion Music and picks up stellar reviews over the globe. During the next several years George composes a vast amount of music while simultaneously recording two new albums; one instrumental album and one vocal album.

Legendary US Guitarist releases neoclassical masterpiece. On Venomous Fingers, George has finally been able to develop his own compositions into a neoclassical masterpiece."

June 2007 – George appeared in Malaga, Spain, to conduct a three-day weekend series of masterclasses at the Guitarra Academia. While there, he also gave an impromptu performance on the coast of Spain using the guitar of a passerby who happened to be walking by with both a guitar and an amplifier on wheels. A crowd quickly gathered as George improvised for an extended period, captivating those who stopped to listen. He also recorded several improvised solos for one of the professors at the school.

Sky Academy Day I

August 2007 – Legendary Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth invited George to perform alongside him at Sky Academy, held at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California, on August 24–26, 2007. Guest performers included Michael Batio, Joe Stump, Johnny Highland, Mark Boals, Tony Franklin, and many other distinguished musicians. The three-day concerts ended with a finale of the classic song "Johnny B. Goode", with George Bellas, Uli Jon Roth, Michael Batio, Johnny Highland and Joe Stump all trading solos in what had to have been the fiercest rendition of the song ever.

Sky Academy Day II

Uli Jon Roth introduced Chicago guitar player George Bellas who performed an incredible instrumental he had written. George Bellas once again thrilled the audience with his original song "Timeless Inspiration" written specifically for the Sky Academy event. Needless to say the song was filled with many tempo changes and many shades of fire and ice. Best Song: Sails of Charon. Best Guitar Solo: "Timeless Inspiration" by George Bellas. –– Classic Rock Revisited

Musicians Institute

November 17, 2007 – George appeared at the Guitar Institute of Technology (Musicians Institute) in Hollywood, California, for a concert, clinic, and open counseling session. The turnout for the open counseling session exceeded all expectations, prompting the school to quickly relocate the event to a much larger room. Even then, students filled the room and spilled out into the hallway.

November 18th, 2007 - George's album "FLYING THROUGH INFINITY" is released worldwide through Lion Music. The album was vocal-based and released under the moniker Palace Terrace.

February 15th, 2008 - George's new album "PLANETARY ALIGNMENT" is released worldwide through Lion Music. This album features the extraordinary drummer Marco Minnemann and is one of the most progressive albums George has released.

"Bellas has carved out a sound, technique and method of writing that is so unique it's impossible for it to not attract your attention."

June 2008 - George finishes production for his new album "STEP INTO THE FUTURE". The album was the largest single piece of music that George has ever released. The album consists of one song with a running time of 76 minutes.

January 23, 2009 - George's new album "STEP INTO THE FUTURE" is released worldwide through the Lion Music record label.

LION MUSIC PRESS RELEASE: "The ever prolific GEORGE BELLAS is back, less than a year on from his previous solo album ‘Planetary Alignment’ with his boldest and most progressive body of work to date in “STEP INTO THE FUTURE”. The name George Bellas is synonymous with stretching musical boundaries and human imagination with his musical compositions. This new album is ultra-modern in style and really reaches out to a futuristic sound in its compositional sense and outlook. The album ranges from the explosive to the ethereal with emotionally stirring segments. Adding to its uniqueness “STEP INTO THE FUTURE” consists of just one song that is 76 minutes in length."

"This album exposes not only Bellas’ abilities as one of the most innovative axemen, but also one who can clearly communicate with his instrument in a way that so few shredders know how to... One of the first contenders for instrumental guitar album of the year has already arrived."

July 16th, 2010 - George's new album "THE DAWN OF TIME" is released worldwide through Lion Music and picks up stellar reviews around the globe.

LION MUSIC PRESS RELEASE: Composer George Bellas is back with his latest instrumental jewel: “The Dawn Of Time”. This is an instrumental album rich in Romanticism and Futurism with over-the-top performances by Marco Minnemann and George Bellas. The album contains a diverse collection of 19 songs that range from simple and delicate, to complex and ferocious. The production is dynamic, clean, and has an open sound to it allowing the music to breathe naturally. On this album the arrangements are short and accessible, and the songs euphonious and tonal, especially when compared to George's previous album, which was a single 76 min song and atonal for the most part.

"George Bellas has proven himself to be the guitar virtuoso of 2010 and despite living in a different time and playing in a different genre deserves to be remembered as we do now with the likes of Mozart, Bach, Lennon and McCartney. This is timeless music of undisputed quality making it definitive George Bellas."

Top Selling Album of 2010

"THE DAWN OF TIME" by George Bellas was the # 1 selling album of the year in 2010 at Guitar Nine Records and # 1 at Lion Music during the summer of 2010. During November of 2010, two other albums by George were also in the top ten selling albums, with "STEP INTO THE FUTURE" coming in 4th place and "PLANETARY ALIGNMENT" coming in 5th place.

March 2011 - George composes a massive body of 18th century counterpoint called The Palindrome Canons. This body of music has a total running time of 108 minutes. The Palindrome Canons contain sophisticated counterpoint that is played forwards and backwards simultaneously.

June 21st, 2013 - George's new album "ASTRAL PROJECTION" is released worldwide through Lion Music. This album contains 70 minutes of epic progressive instrumentals packed with chaotic guitar improvisations; mind-melting rhythms; lyrical themes; and advanced explorations of modern principles that are combined with classical elements of counterpoint, harmony and form.

"Bellas has established himself with this album as a genre of his own."

February 22, 2018 - George's new album "COLONIZING THE STARS" is released worldwide through Bellas Music Studio. Nine epic compositions in a futuristic style with a palette of lyrically-flowing melodies, otherworldly harmonizations, and inventive rhythms all sounding through a barrage of guitar, bass, drums, choirs, and orchestral instrumentation.

"George Bellas is much more than just another guy who knows how to play electric guitar very quickly and technically. He is a serious composer, innovator, and musical teacher who generously shares his knowledge with students."

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Current Trajectory

Operating with complete creative autonomy and a rigorous, human-centered workflow, George's current trajectory encompasses the execution of twelve distinct albums organized across three epic, star-born album series. This massive body of work begins with a colossal, thirty-five-song opening installment, tracked entirely live without machine assistance to capture an unfiltered, direct-mind download straight into his recording system. For George Bellas, the immense joy of imaginative creativity is one of the most fulfilling aspects of the human experience.

Musicians

Over the course of his career George has been fortunate to have recorded and performed with some of the most elite musicians in the world, including: Deen Castronova, Ansley Dunbar, Virgil Donati, Marco Minnemann, Brad Kaiser, Jon Doman, Gerald Kloos, Mike McCarron, Mistheria, Uli Jon Roth, Michael Batio, Joe Stump, Johnny Highland, James Murphy, Robert Barry, Jason Becker, Marco Ferrigno, Pete Way, Phil Mogg, Tony Franklin, Phil Bynoe, Jon Onder, Tony Levin, Eric Martin, Trent Gardener, Ian Anderson, Barry Sparks, John West, Mike Terrana, Vitalij Kuprij, Matt Guillory, Kevin Chown, and many other amazingly talented musicians.

Music Education

George is an in-demand music teacher. His student base is vast and spans many countries, including: The USA, Japan, Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, South America, Mexico, Spain, Australia, France, Great Britain, Thailand, Korea, Turkey and more. George has taught thousands of students around the globe through his masterclasses, guitar clinics, private lessons, online lessons, and electronic instructional media. Bellas is very passionate about teaching and sharing the gift of music by educating, guiding, inspiring, and motivating his students to reach their full potential.

Inspiring Minds

Great minds that have inspired George include: Friedrich Nietzsche, Albert Einstein, Carl Sagan, Stephen Hawking, Dr. Michio Kaku, Brian Greene, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Edwin Hubble, Nikola Tesla, Palestrina, Bach, Haydn, Beethoven, Paganini, Liszt, Chopin, Wagner, Debussy, Schoenberg, Nicolas Slonimsky, John Williams, Danny Elfman, Walter Piston, Ted Greene, Trent Gardner, Boston, Styx, Queen, and Gamma. There have been countless other sources of inspiration, but the aforementioned have made the strongest impact. For Bellas, it is the creative and brilliantly imaginative and unconstrained minds that have propelled a seemingly immeasurable amount of fascination and ongoing inspiration.

Through a distinct artistic vision, George's work continues to create immersive musical worlds of extraordinary depth and imagination.