+ Oli Brown Band
Robben Ford grew up in the 60s listening to Otis Reading and Aretha Franklin, and soaking up the guitar blues of Mike Bloomfield, Eric Clapton, and B.B. King. In his early 20s, Ford went on to join blues luminary Jimmy Witherspoon’s band. But soon, Ford experienced a diversion from the genre. In 1974, the guitarist was discovered by saxophonist Tom Scott, whose progressive fusion group, LA Express, then teamed up with Joni Mitchell to support her Court and Spark tour and play on two of her albums (1974’s ‘Miles of Isles’ and 1975’s ‘The Hissing of Summer Lawn’).

 Today, possessing a résumé that includes stints with an impressively broad range of other musical personalities—Miles Davis, George Harrison, Little Feat, and the Yellowjackets, among many others—Ford has demonstrated an uncanny ability to adapt. The guitarist has effortlessly traversed genres without compromising his exquisite, blues-based playing and singing.

Ford has released an impressive twenty-five albums to date! Possibly his best work of the nineties include ‘Robben Ford & The Blue Line’ and ‘Tiger Walk’. Recently, Music Magazine named Ford as one of the 100 greatest guitarists of the twentieth century.

‘Truth’ is Ford’s latest album to date. Released in August 2007 the album presents blues as they are today: in a powerful setting only a master veteran like Ford could envision. His guitar solos have never been more expressive or exciting and the musical settings are full of surprises, drama and humor. His abilities as a guitarist aside, Ford says it is songwriting that he has used to push himself to grow as a musician.

Robben Ford will be performing live at Manchester Club Academy on Sunday 18th May.