Robben Ford

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Robben Ford
Background information
Born December 16, 1951 (1951-12-16) (age 60)
Woodlake, California, United States
Genres Blues, jazz/fusion, rock
Occupations Musician, songwriter
Instruments Guitar, saxophone
Years active 1969–present
Associated acts John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Yellowjackets, Chick Corea, Gregg Allman Band, L.A. Express
Website Robbenford.com
Notable instruments
Baker Guitars Robben Ford Signature Model

Robben Ford (born December 16, 1951)[1] is an American blues, jazz and rock guitarist.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Ford was born in Woodlake, California, United States, but raised in Ukiah, California, and began playing the saxophone at age 10, picking up the guitar at age 13. Robben and his brothers Mark (harmonica) and Patrick Ford (drums) had a band they named the Charles Ford Blues Band in honor of their father.[2]

Ford began playing professionally at age 18 when the Charles Ford Blues Band got a gig backing Charlie Musselwhite.[1] The band also recorded two albums The Charles Ford Band and Discovering the Blues. Next Ford put together a band with Bay Area musicians that became Jimmy Witherspoon's backup band. Ford recorded two albums with Witherspoon, Live and Spoonful'. The Ford Blues Band reunites periodically, and released live albums in the 1980s and 1990s.

In the 1970s, Ford began to branch out into jazz fusion, and joined L.A. Express,[1] led by saxophonist Tom Scott in 1974. That same year they backed George Harrison on his American tour. In addition to recording fusion albums, they served as Joni Mitchell's backup band on Court and Spark, Hissing of Summer Lawns and her live album, Miles of Aisles.[1]

After leaving L.A. Express in 1976, Ford recorded his solo album, The Inside Story with a band that was to become the Yellowjackets.[1] He went on to play a starring role on the first two Yellowjackets albums, although he was listed as a guest artist due to recording contract arrangements. In 1982, Robben was just one of many guitarists who played and recorded for KISS's album Creatures of the Night, playing the lead guitar on two songs "Rock And Roll Hell" and "I Still Love You". Gene Simmons had asked Robben to join KISS, however Robben declined stating he was more than happy to play and record for KISS but "couldn't see himself in a band situation performing all over America and the world accordingly". KISS went on to hire Vinnie Vincent and as their new lead guitarist and tour in support of Creatures of the Night.

Ford worked briefly with Miles Davis in 1986;[1] he can be heard on Davis' Montreux box set. Ford released his next album, called Talk to Your Daughter in 1988, a return to his blues roots. In 1989 he joined Philippe Saisse, Marcus Miller and J.T. Lewis in the cast of The Sunday Night Band for the second and final season of the acclaimed late-night NBC television musical performance program, Sunday Night.[3] His best work in the 1990s includes Robben Ford and the Blue Line, and Tiger Walk. In addition to recording and touring with his own blues band, Ford continued to tour and play with other bands/artists such as Jing Chi (his fusion band), Gregg Allman and Phil Lesh. He has received nominations for four Grammy Awards.

Robben Ford at the Liri Blues Festival, Italy, in 2002

Several Ford tribute bands exist. Ford was named one of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century" by Musician magazine.[4]

Ford uses Dumble Amplifiers since the early 1980s, and prefers Celestion G12-65 speakers. When travelling abroad he tends to use rented Fender Super Reverb amplifiers along with a Zendrive overdrive pedal by Hermida Audio. Guitar manufacturer Fender used to make a Robben Ford signature model, initially based on the Japanese made Fender Esprit Ultra, it was developed by Dan Smith along with John Carruthers and evolved into a US Custom Shop model, until it was discontinued in 2002.[citation needed]

American luthier Gene Baker also made a Robben Ford signature model. Lately, Ford tends to favour a vintage 1960 Fender Telecaster, Gibson Les Pauls and a custom-made guitar made by Taku Sakashta.[5]

Ford is married to the cabaret singer Anne Kerry Ford, and collaborated with her on various projects. His nephew, Gabe Ford, is also a musician.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Solo albums

[edit] Live albums

[edit] Compilations

[edit] With Ford Blues Band

  • The Charles Ford Band (1972)
  • Reunion Live (1984)
  • As Real As It Gets(1996)
  • Hotshots (1994)
  • Fords and Friends (1996)
  • Ford Blues Band (1999)
  • Tribute to Paul Butterfield (2001)
  • In Memory of Michael Bloomfield (2002)
  • Another Fine Day (2003)
  • Centre Stage (2004)

[edit] With Mark Ford

  • Mark Ford and the Robben Ford Band (1990)
  • Mark Ford and the Blue Line

[edit] Collaborations

[edit] Albums played on

  • F-Zero Jazz Album (1992)
  • Voodoo Crossing: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix (2003) Message To Love
  • Viva Carlos - A Supernatural Marathon Celebration (2004) Blues For Salvador
  • A Guitar Supreme - A Giant Step In Fusion Guitar (2006) Village Blues
  • Come Together 2; Beatles Guitar Tribute (2000?) Golden Slumbers

[edit] As sideman

With Charlie Musselwhite

With Joni Mitchell

With Tom Scott and the LA Express

  • Tom Cat (1974)

With Dizzy Gillespie

With Charlie Musselwhite

  • Where Have All The Good Times Gone (1984)

With Jimmy Witherspoon

  • Live at Monterey Jazz Festival (1972)
  • Live (1976)
  • Live at Notodden Blues Festival (1992)
  • Ain't Nothing New About The Blues (1995)

With Kiss

With Georgie Fame

  • Cool Cat Blues (1991)

With Rickie Lee Jones

  • Pop Pop (1991)

With Bob Malach

  • Mood Swing (1991)

With Miles Davis

[edit] Instructional DVDs

  • The Art of Blues Rhythm
  • Playing the Blues
  • The Blues and Beyond

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Scott Yanow. "Robben Ford". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p6509/biography. Retrieved November 27, 2011. 
  2. ^ Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. p. 110. ISBN 1-85868-255-X. 
  3. ^ Sunday Night - episode #121 (1989), Broadway Video, Inc.
  4. ^ Vervemusicgroup.com information
  5. ^ Vintage Guitar magazine interview (published on april 29, 2001).

[edit] External links

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