Guitarist Robben Ford to play Seattle

photos by George Wells

Guitar Hero Robben Ford

For those of you who know who Robben is, or have seen him play, you know what I’m talkin’ about. This guy’s discography reads like the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame roster. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of experiencing Robben’s musical genius live on several occasions. And a lucky audience will have an opportunity again:

Robben Ford, with guitarist Mike Landau, bassist Jimmy Haslip, and drummer Gary Novak, Triple Door, Seattle, October 19

Robben has played with artists as diverse as Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Witherspoon, Miles Davis, George Harrison, Phil Lesh, Larry Carlton, Bonnie Raitt, Claus Ogerman, Bob Dylan, John Mayall, Greg Allman, and many others.

Robben recently started his Guitar Dojo, a learning center where he shares his experiences and musical discoveries. Here, follow along as Robben gives you personal and comprehensive lessons through high quality streaming video. You can also virtually visit sound checks and other live recordings.

A little history from his website:

He began to teach himself guitar at age thirteen upon hearing the two guitarists from The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Michael Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop. In the late 1960’s, Ford frequented the Fillmore and Winterland Auditoriums in San Francisco to see Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Albert King, B.B. King and all of the progenitors of blues. “It was an incredible time for electric guitar,” Robben recalls.

On his interest in jazz, Robben says, "I fell in love with the sax-playing of Paul Desmond and The Dave Brubeck Quartet, and before long found Ornette Coleman, Archie Shepp, Yusef Lateef, Roland Kirk, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, and of course, Miles Davis.”

Robben’s first attempt at forming his own jazz quartet was picked up by legendary blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon, who brought Robben to L.A. He toured the U.S. and Europe with Witherspoon and was seen by Tom Scott and members of The L.A. Express, who were about to begin a promotional tour with Joni Mitchell for her recording “Court and Spark.” Robben was invited to play guitar on the tour and played on two recordings with Mitchell and The L.A. Express. “The two years I spent with Joni were the most formative of my musical life. Joni was just brilliant and very accessible.”

Beatle George Harrison invited Robben to join him on his “Dark Horse” tour of the U.S. and Canada…”

After moving to New York, he was called to play with musical icon Miles Davis. “Producer Tommy LiPuma played Miles my work with the Yellowjackets, then three days later, Miles called me personally to join his band. Shocking!”

 “Tiger Walk” is an instrumental recording produced in New York with Keith Richards' rhythm section…”

In 2000 Robben was invited to tour with Phil Lesh and Friends, co-billing with Bob Dylan, and reuniting him with Billy Paine and Paul Barrere of Little Feat, as well as drummer John Molo. “This experience gave me new respect for Jerry Garcia as a musician and songwriter. The songs and musical context were pure pleasure--real guitar music!"

In 2002, he released “Blue Moon” [I highly recommend this album]. His third release for Concord was entitled “Truth”. “I feel this is the best work I have done in terms of a solo recording. It is my most realized work as a songwriter, and I feel like I am reaching higher ground as a guitarist. [I second that!]

Robben has been touring the world off and on with the legendary guitarist Larry Carlton, the two producing “Live in Tokyo”, and an “unplugged” DVD from Paris. Collaboration seems to be the current M.O.-- projects with John Scofield, and touring and recording with fellow Miles Davis alumni saxophonist Bill Evans, as well as Randy Brecker and Rolling Stones bassist Darryl Jones.

Most recently (2010) Robben released “Renegade Creation,” with a group of musical friends who have played in different combinations and contexts over the years and decided to focus on a project together recording for Mike Varney’s Shrapnel label. This is a rock band, Robben’s first, and the results have people talking: “Dare I say everyone who hears it, loves it!” The other members are guitarist Mike Landau, bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Gary Novak. [This is the line-up playing at Triple Door Oct 19 !!!]

Ayron Jones and the Way

Ayron Jones, with Conrad Real on drums, photo courtesy Moonlight Media

Ayron Jones, guitar and vocals
Conrad Real, drums
Deandre Enrico, bass

It’s not often you see a young band, and I mean very young, who are already so good it blows you away. Jar of Rain is one of those, and so is Ayron Jones and the Way.

Last week Ayron Jones and his band were a highlight of the Rock Show to Benefit NW Harvest. After an impressive set by Alan White, legendary drummer for Yes, these young unassuming guys jumped up on the stage. Dylan said you can tell how good a musician is by the way they carry in their guitar case. I say you can tell a lot about a musician by how they tune up. I watched and listened carefully as the bass player thoughtfully, carefully, and oh-so-efficiently tuned his active 5-string, and I knew we were in for it.

I’d just been talking with a drummer friend about dynamics, and how often musicians sacrifice modulation for LOUD. Not these guys; they showed a keen sensitivity to the feeling and tempo of each song, whether a soulful ballad from Hendrix, or a rockin’ blues song from Buddy Guy. Good musicians let the music move them, almost as if the music plays the band, not the other way around. Then POW, all three hit us with their technical chops and blew the roof off the place. It was sheer pleasure to hear their joyful playing of blues and rock classics, with a twist.

From Facebook: “Guitarist, Singer/Songwriter Ayron Jones from Seattle, Washington mixes blues, funk, hip-hop and R&B to deliver his sound. Self taught since the age of 13, Ayron continues to develop an approach to the blues by spanning the guitar styles of legends such as Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and Albert king. Constantly growing and exploring, Ayron adds his personal touch with rhythms and grooves derived from today's sounds while still paying tribute to the history of the blues. Ayron Jones is a student of the neo-blues evolution.”

Also, Kudos to Conrad Real on drums. I'd heard him play before as an occasional special guest at 88 Keys jams, but with this trio Conrad finds his signature style: superb touch and tasty licks with a smooth groove and punchy cymbal work. I believe he has what it takes to become one of the all-time greats.

It’s hard to say enough about Deandre Enrico on bass. I kept wondering how on earth he could be so good, so young. Few bass players engage the bass as a low-register guitar, with all chords and solos working together, and he’s already got it down!!

For show dates check the Ayron Jones and the Way Facebook page.

Mary McPage and the Assassins

Mary McPage and the Assassins, photo by Steven Seiller ©2011

Recently at Engel’s in Edmonds 

As a little girl, Mary McPage loved singing in church. Later she started singing in blues bands in Idaho and Florida, then Seattle. How do you go from church music to singing in blues bands? “Fear!” she says. “The Blues gets into your soul and won’t let go. It scares me, but I look it straight in the eye and do it anyway.” It’s not fearlessness; with Mary you get the sense that she is fully aware of facing down that fear, and paying her respects.

Mary’s driving low-soprano voice shows all of her influences as she relives memories of sounds from earlier experiences: the reverence of church music; then-pop favorites like Englebert Humperdink; country divas like ”sweet cotton candy soprano” Dolly Parton, Lorretta Lynn, and Tammy Wynette;  rock and roll from Stevie Nicks and Ann Wilson; and real soulful power singing from Janis Joplin and Etta James. 

Part of trying to voice her musical memories is finding the right musicians to help channel the sound. And Mary has a talent for finding and surrounding herself with some of the best musicians in town. With the fabulous Patrick McDanel on bass for the past year, Mary has been able to stretch out and do some deeper, funkier stuff. On guitar and vocals, Honolulu’s Keith Fraser brings a blend of jazz and rock influences from Mike Stern to Jeff Beck to Hendrix. Always searching for that warm sound, Keith delivers masterful chord architecture and superb melodic solos that only the best players can.

A favorite experience for Mary was at the Best of Blues awards show in 2009; her then-band had broken up when she learned they were nominated as Best Band, “which was a total shock!” she laughs. “Wanted to do something different so we did a total acoustic blues set, first acoustic band playing at their awards shows. A really cool moment.”

See Mary McPage and the Assassins. Get their full show calendar here.

Gumbo Factory

Musical Flavors of New Orleans
It is urban myth: you hear about it, you know it’s happening, but you never tangibly see it. Somebody is making an amazing record right next door, and it could be something Big.

Gumbo Factory is such a record. Masterminded and produced by Travis Fullerton, its rich layers of musical flavors thoroughly satisfy. Gumbo Factory began as a musical tribute to Travis’ friend, the late, great blues singer Ronnie Barron. It evolved into a collection of songs in a unique fusion of eras and styles that pay homage to Ronnie’s New Orleans roots. Gumbo Factory features six original songs as well as covers that put a new spin on two classics.

Sid George, legendary sax man, plays a key lead role, weaving you through haunting New Orleans melodies. Star-quality vocals, mystic lyrics, power drumming, creative keyboards, and sublime slide guitar work are orchestrated into something truly special. I would say it as the French say: Gumbo Factory has that certain je nais se quoi.

Travis is no stranger to the world of music: his early history drumming in young bands up and down the eastern seaboard led to international touring with world-famous groups starting in the heyday of Haight Ashbury. Gumbo Factory members have played with Dr. John, Stephen Stills, John Mayall, Tower of Power, Quicksilver, Humble Pie, John Lennon, Roy Buchanan, Martha Reeves, Sly Stone, Janis Joplin, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, George Clinton, Duane Allman, Lou Rawls, and many more.

Recorded in Bellevue, WA and Tucson, AZ with strong southern R&B roots, Gumbo Factory is a tasty, eclectic experience.

You can get the EP on iTunes and at Amazon.com. Visit the Gumbo Factory website to learn more or find them on Facebook.