(NEW YORK) - Guitar hero Joe Satriani is readying his first studio album for Epic Records.|

Crystal Planet, scheduled for release March 3, features 15 new songs showcasing the Grammy-nominated artist's elaborate fretwork and musical soundscapes. The guitarist and his band will support the set with a North American tour commencing March 11 at House Of Blues in West Hollywood, Calif.

The two-week jaunt, which will extensively feature selections from the new set, will wrap March 27 at the Cabooze in Minneapolis. Satriani, who spent most of last year headlining the G3 tours, which co-starred such guitar favorites as Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Robert Fripp and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, is in the running for this year's Grammy for best rock instrumental performance. His nominated track, "Summer Song," was culled from G3's Epic set, G3 Live In Concert.