For the past 29 years, the end of June and first week of July has proved to be an exciting time as the Montreal International Jazz Festival sets up shop for Jazz, Blues, Pop and World music-lovers everywhere. Great music, awesome players, workshops, jam sessions, a Blues Camp and the euphoric Montreal Guitar Show featuring many of the World’s greatest Luthiers, finds its way into the hearts, minds and hands of a ton of people from all over the World. There’s something for everyone at the Montreal Jazz Festival and if you have never experienced the Festival before, then this year would be a great time to do so. I will be attending a bunch of shows this time around and will try and keep you all up to date. First off is the electric Jazz and Blues of Guitar Master Robben Ford tonight.

I first heard Robben with the groovin’ LA Express featuring Tom Scott back in the very early eighties and was immediately taken by his fusion of Jazz and Blues, sophisticated harmonic twists, and emotion filled slinky string bending. I then heard him with Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Witherspoon, the Yellow Jackets, Victor Feldman and his Generation Band, Miles Davis and more recently with Guitar-Ace Larry Carlton. Of course I’ve also been a huge fan of Robben’s solo material and actually, no matter what situation I’ve heard him in he has always stayed true to his musical identity and is one of those players who can be instantly recognized in the first few notes he plays. For a long time Robben has sort of been on the precipice of major success and had been somewhat overshadowed by the more popular Guitarists in the 70’s and 80’s. But he “kept on keeping on” and eventually found climbing to the top of the heap a little easier as he focused more on his Blues playing, especially with the commercial success of his Robben Ford and the Blue Line albums. Nowadays Robben’s name is synonymous with taste, technique and just plain ol’ great playing. Suffice it to say I’m definitely looking forward to tonight’s show. If you are at the show tonight drop by and say hello if you recognize me. Also, here’s a link to a news article on Robben that you may find of interest. Take care all…

Blues & Beyond Robben Ford. For Guitar. Guitar DVD. Warner Bros. Classics. Blues. DVD. 1 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing. (904067) See more info…