Miles, Spoon, Joni and Me - Robben Ford

Robben Ford is one of the premier electric guitarists today, particularly known for his blues playing as well as his ability to be comfortable in a variety of musical contexts. A five-time Grammy nominee, he has played with artists as diverse as Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Witherspoon, Miles Davis, George Harrison, Phil Lesh, Bonnie Raitt, Claus Ogerman, Michael McDonald, Bob Dylan, John Mayall, Greg Allman, John Scofield and many others. (See Discography) Born in 1951 in Woodlake, California, and raised in Ukiah, Robben was the third of four sons in a musical family. His father Charles was a country and western singer and guitarist before entering the army and marrying Kathryn, who played piano and had a lovely singing voice. Robben?s first chosen instrument was the saxophone, which he began to play at age ten and continued to play into his early twenties. 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.” These influences have stayed with Robben, playing a large part in his particular blend of jazz and blues that define him as a guitarist and allow him to play in a wide variety of settings. After high school, Robben and his brothers Patrick (a blues drummer) and Mark (a blues harmonica player) formed The Charles Ford Band (named after their father), and recorded for the Arhoolie label. Robben (on sax and guitar) and Patrick went on to tour the U.S. with Chicago harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite, again recording for Arhoolie. Robben?s first attempt at forming his own jazz quartet was picked up by legendary blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon, which 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, and the members of The L.A. Express became good friends and teachers. It was great.” Beatle George Harrison invited Robben to join him on his “Dark Horse” tour of the U.S. and Canada, raising his musical profile even further. Shortly after the two month stint with Harrison, Robben moved to Colorado to take a much-needed break from music and to study with Buddhist teacher Chogyam Trungpa. In 1977, he was approached by Elektra Records, which produced his first solo recording “The Inside Story” with a group of musicians who went on to become The Yellowjackets. Elektra closed their doors in the early 1980?s, leading to a time of uncertainty. Robben moved to San Francisco to be close to family and his early musical history. Soon his career would take another upward swing, recording and touring with Michael McDonald, securing a recording contract with Warner Brothers Records, and meeting his soon-to-be wife, actress Anne Kerry. After moving to New York with Anne, 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!” Robben lamented having to leave Miles after only six months because of recording commitments with Warner Brothers, but was told by Miles that if he ever wanted to come back, “just come back.” Robben?s 1988 release for Warner Brothers, “Talk to Your Daughter” brought his first Grammy nomination (Best Contemporary Blues Recording) and he started touring the world under his own name. Still based in New York, he backed David Sandborn on the television show “Night Music,” in which Sandborn hosted a variety of musical acts. Robben toured with Sandborn in 1990, then moved back to southern California shortly thereafter to be closer to his own band. After leaving Warner Brothers, Robben signed with Stretch/GRP records, where he finally found a real home for his creativity, recording three CDs for them with his band “The Blue Line” (Tom Brechtlein on drums and Roscoe Beck on bass). After a very fruitful eight years, Robben disbanded the group and recorded two more CDs for the label which had then become Stretch/Blue Thumb: “Tiger Walk” (an instrumental recording produced in New York with Keith Richard?s rhythm section) and “Supernatural,” his most accomplished work up to that point as a songwriter. In 2000 Robben was invited to tour with Phil Lesh and Friends on a co-bill with Bob Dylan, 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!” When his contract expired at Stretch/Blue Thumb, Robben signed with Concord Records, the largest independently-owned record company at the time. In 2002, he released “Blue Moon” and in 2003 “Keep on Runnin,” a recording full of the 60?s blues/R&B feeling with which he grew up. 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. “Truth” represents the blues as they are today; some of the songs are sociopolitical in essence, but not without humor, and the musical setting is fresh.” In 2007 Robben toured with the legendary guitarist, Larry Carlton, resulting in “Live in Tokyo” and an “unplugged” DVD, “The Paris Concert 2008.” Robben’s fourth release for Concord, Soul on Ten” is a “live” recording performed in San Francisco (2009). “People had been requesting a live recording for years and I had the right band, music, and venue to pull it off.” The CD also includes two studio tracks which feature Larry Goldings on B3 organ and John Button on bass. In 2010, Robben and a group of musical friends who have played in different combinations and contexts over the years decided to focus on a project together recording for Mike Varney’s Shrapnel label. The result was the formation of “Renegade Creation” with a self-named album. This is a rock band, Robben’s first, and the results have people talking: “Dare I say everyone who hears it, loves it!” says Robben. The other members are guitarist Mike Landau, bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Gary Novak. After much critical acclaim for “Renegade Creation” RC returned to the studio and produced “Bullet” which was released in June, 2012. In the past year Robben has also played internationally with the Miles Davis tribute band, “Mile Smiles,” featuring past Miles’ alums, Omar Hakim, Darryl Jones, Wallace Roney and Joey DeFrancesca, as well as touring with Bill Evans and Randy Brecker’s group, Soulbop. Robben also collaborates with his wife Anne on various musical projects including her CD “Weill" which Robben produced on their own Illyria label. 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Mellow Down Easy - Robben & Mark Ford

"Technically speaking, [Mark Ford] is right up there with the best in the business. Great tone and plenty of hot licks. If... these guys made a video and booked on Letterman, everyone would get rich." - Doctor Dave Nicks, Music City Blues "Mark is on the cutting edge and is taking the harp into unknown territory, blazing a path that few will ever be able to follow. In all my 43 years, I have never heard any harpman do such a tasteful blend of blues, rock, and jazz." - Steve Harvell "Mark is a new Little Walter." - Muddy Waters "This recording was not made to gain notoriety or further my career. Nor was it made to make money or be a success in the crazy world of music today. It was made, quite simply, as an expression of our love of music. For a musician there is nothing as pleasureable as playing and interacting with other musicians, letting the creative juices flow. And that is why we made this recording, because we love to play. there is nothing we would rather be doing, and we hope that others will enjoy the fruits of this interaction. So here it is, straight from our hearts to yours." - Mark Ford “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!

Worried Life Blues - Robben Ford

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

Ford began playing professionally at age 18 when the Charles Ford Blues Band got a gig backing Charlie Musselwhite. 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, 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 Hissing of Summer Lawns and her live album, Miles of Aisles.

After leaving L.A. Express in 1976, Ford recorded his solo album, The Inside Story with a band that was to become the Yellowjackets. 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; 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. 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.
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Slow Blues Jam - Larry Carlton and Robben Ford

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

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.

Larry Carlton (born March 2, 1948, Torrance, California) is an American jazz, smooth jazz, jazz fusion, pop, and rock guitarist and singer. He has divided his recording time between solo recordings and session appearances with various well-known bands. Over his career, Carlton has won four Grammy Awards for his performances and compositions, including performing on the theme song for the hit television series, Hill Street Blues (1981).
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Good Morning Little School Girl - The Ford Blues Band

It was 1969 when Patrick Ford first came onto the San Francisco blues scene with brother Robben Ford. During the 70’s he spent time working with his brothers Robben and Mark in the Charles Ford Band and then on the road with Charlie Musselwhite. This was also when he first had the pleasure of working and hanging with many of the blues greats like Muddy Waters, Lightning Hopkins, and Jimmy Witherspoon.

In the 80’s Patrick started his own modern blues label, Blue Rock’lt Records, with great releases by the likes of Charlie Musselwhite, Brownie McGhee, the Charles Ford Band, and Chris Cain. It was 1988 when Patrick decided it was time to break away from the position of being a side man for others and try out his skills as a band leader. He decided to put together a band that would recognize and respect its individual members talents and at the same time become a conduit for his own ideas and arrangements. It was definitely going to be his band.

The first version of the Ford Blues Band featured his brother Mark Ford on harp and vocals and Garth Webber on Guitar and vocals. On bass was Ronnie Gurewitz. They went directly into the studio and recorded enough of Patricks ideas for a CD. The results were the first FBB release and the band’s first tour of Europe. Though Mark was not able to make the tour he was replaced by Andy Just who has remained with the band ever since. The release and the tour served notice that this was not just another blues band coming on the scene. This band was new and it was different and it made no apologies for its non traditional approach to the blues idiom.

Throughout the 90’s the band has continued to record and tour around the world. Though the guitar and bass positions have been filled by several different players during that time the identity of the band has remained constant. Every version of the Ford Blues Band features exceptional players performing very original and very powerful modern blues. They are journeymen who have honed their craft studying and performing with the masters. If you compiled a list of all the blues greats that the various members of the band have performed with it would look like a Who’s Who list of the Blues and would include the likes of John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Fenton Robinson, Brownie McGhee, Lowell Fulson, and on and on. There is no lack of respect for the roots here. At the same time however, the band remains open to any other influences that might make their music even more vibrant and alive.

The personnel of the Ford Blues Band at present includes Andy Just, harp and vocal, Volker Strifler, guitar and vocal, Dewayne Pate, bass and vocal, and Patrick Ford, drums and vocal.

Tell Me Mama/ Forty Days & Forty Nights - Charles Ford Band

Robben Ford (born December 16, 1951), is an American blues, jazz and rock guitarist.
Ford was born in Woodlake, California, 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.

Ford began playing professionally at age 18 when the Charles Ford Blues Band got a gig backing Charlie Musselwhite. 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.