According to a report from Big Lead Sports, the NHL and NBC Sports continue to put resources behind the Bridgestone Winter Classic, which will be played on January 2nd at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park between the host Flyers and visiting New York Rangers. The latest activation is a national multi-media ad campaign anchored by two TV spots that will air across all media outlets of the NHL and NBC now through the game. TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick recorded an original arrangement of 'Auld Lang Syne' for the commercial, which can be viewed below.

Read the complete report here.

Skolnick is currently out on the road with his ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO will be on the road this December in support of their fourth album, Veritas (Palmetto).

Blending the elegance and sophistication of jazz with the conviction of rock, the Trio’s supporters range from international superstars RODRIGO y GABRIELLA, who chose the trio as their support act on tours throughout the US and Europe in 2010 (and recruited Alex as a guest on their album 11/11) to METALLICA's Robert Trujillo, who joined the band for an impromptu jam at Radio City Music Hall.

“I love his work,” says Kirk Hammett of Metallica. “He has updated the notion of what a standard is, and it’s opened up all the current music to interpretation.”

Veritas (Palmetto) reached the Top Ten of the iTunes Jazz chart, nestled in between MILES DAVIS and ESPERANZA SPALDING. But this new voice of jazz guitar has sprung forth from somewhere most unexpected: thrash metal. ?

One of the most respected metal lead guitar players of his generation, Alex relocated to New York City from his native Berkeley California over a decade ago to immerse himself in Jazz and earn a BFA in Jazz Performance from the New School. These days he can be found performing in some of the world’s biggest venues with his seminal thrash metal band, Testament as well as headlining jazz clubs with his acclaimed Trio.

The Alex Skolnick Trio features Matt Zebroski (drums) and Nathan Peck (bass). Tour dates are as follows:

December

7 - Cleveland, OH - Nighttown
8 - Rochester, NY - Abilene Bar & Lounge
9 - Albany, NY - Red Square
10 - Burlington, VT - Nectar's
11 - Montreal, QC - Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill