Nels Cline NPR hide caption

In 2011, Rolling Stone named Nels Cline one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. Nathan West /Blue Note Records hide caption

Nels Cline and Julian Lage. Brian Blauser/Mountain Stage hide caption

Nels Cline and Julian Lage's new collaborative album is called Room. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Nels Cline Singers' new album, Macroscope, comes out April 29. Mimi Chakarova/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Nels Cline Singers' new album, Macroscope, comes out April 29. Mimi Chakarova/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Nels Cline. Yuka C. Honda/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Artist Ed Ruscha, writer and producer David Breskin and musician Nels Cline. Courtesy of Cryptogramophone hide caption

Vijay Iyer. Jimmy Katz hide caption

Sonny Sharrock (pictured here with Linda Sharrock, then his wife) approach his guitar like Albert Ayler played his saxophone — fiercely, yet tenderly out of bounds. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Artist Norton Wisdom improvises a new painting to the live music of guitarist Nels Cline at Winter Jazzfest 2011. Bob Boilen hide caption

Left to right: Scott Amendola, Devin Hoff and Nels Cline. courtesy of the artist hide caption

Nels Cline Singers' "Floored" is an urging, groove-driven vehicle for Cline's scurrying, wah-wah- and fuzz-saturated guitar work. courtesy of the artist hide caption

Nels Cline Howard Linton hide caption