Are there some accomplished jazz musicians that you’d like to work with? And if so, what about those artists make them so appealing…?

[Jazz bassist] Dave Holland is a big hero of mine. Jack DeJohnette gets great rock tone on his drums and plays with McCoy Tyner and Keith Jarrett. He’s brilliant. Playing with all those guys would be great. Cuban piano player Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chick Corea – I love his collaborations and acoustic playing. His work with Bobby McFerrin is one of my all time favorites. Playing with him would be an amazing experience. 

Based on each AST release, is it safe to assume that you will continue to offer more of your own original compositions with each new offering.

Yes. And there are a couple rough ideas floating around in my head right now, but probably no new record until next year. As we talked about earlier, I can’t really comprehend that right now. It’s definitely in the works for next year.

Are you road-testing any of those ideas for the new record?

We’re still doing the material from Last Day in Paradise, which still feels very fresh to me. I am sure we’ll do that at some point when we schedule some more dates.

Final thoughts for your fans that may not be familiar with your jazz side, but could be convinced to come and experience the AST?

It’s great contrast if you’re used to a metal show. For one thing, there’s no mosh pit! (laughs) It’s a completely different experience. It’s engaging in a more quietly intense way. You get to observe [musical] interplay and become a part of the music – which turns out different every night. It’s a relaxed fun experience with a lot of energy. Parts of it gets really crazy, but it’s very multi-dimensional, dynamic and a lot of fun.

Alex Skolnick on tour 2008 with Testament (unless otherwise indicated):

June

06/25/08 Barcelona, Spain - Apolo
06/27/08 Graspop Festival - Dessel, Belgium
06/28/08 Gods of Metal - Bologna, Italy
06/29/08 Hunterfest - Szczytno, Poland

July

07/12/08 Stadionul Municipal - Sibiu, Romania
07/16/08 New Plymouth, New Zealand (solo - G-TARanaki International Guitar Fest)
07/17/08 New Plymouth, New Zealand (solo - G-TARanaki International Guitar Fest)
07/18/08 New Plymouth, New Zealand (solo - G-TARanaki International Guitar Fest)

07/22/08 WAMU Theatre - Seattle, WA (w/ Judas Priest)
07/23/08 Memorial Centre - Victoria, BC (w/ Judas Priest)
07/24/08 GM Place Vancouver, BC (w/ Judas Priest)
07/26/08 McMahon Stadium – Calgary, AB (Ozzy Osbourne's “Monsters Of Rock”)
07/27/08 Shaw Centre - Edmonton, AB (w/ Judas Priest)
07/29/08 Credit Union Centre - Saskatoon, SK - Credit Union Centre (w/ Judas Priest)
07/30/08 MTS Centre Winnipeg, MB (w/ Judas Priest)
07/31/08 Epic - Minneapolis, MN

August