Phil Short brings you two superb solos in the jazz-blues style of guitar genius Robben Ford.

This month Phil Short explores the beautifully rhythmic and harmonically eloquent playing of one of the first guitarists to blend blues and jazz.

Robben Ford is one of the most iconic and successful guitarists of his generation, with a 40-year career that’s ongoing. Known for his distinctive blend of blues and jazz he’s one of the original blues-jazz guitarists, going on to influence players like Matt Schofield, Josh Smith and Greg Koch.

Robben’s musical journey is an interesting one and makes sense of this musical blend. He started out learning the saxophone around aged 10 and was captivated by the playing of Paul Desmond of The Dave Brubeck Quartet, and before long he discovered the music of John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Miles Davis and other jazz greats.

Alongside his passion for jazz and the tenor sax he also discovered the electric blues of BB King, Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, Led Zeppelin and, most notably, Paul Butterfield’s superb guitarist Michael Bloomfield. His love for both of these worlds led to the culmination of his own particular ‘fusion’ guitar style.

At age 13 he started teaching himself guitar and formed his first band with his brothers (The Charles Ford band), where he recorded both guitar and sax parts. The band went on to tour, which acted as the catalyst for Robben’s own playing and recording career.

Notable bluesman Jimmy Witherspoon spotted him, and brought Robben to LA. While on tour with Whitherspoon, Tom Scott of the LA Express saw and booked him on the band’s promotional tour with Joni Mitchell. He would continue to record with Joni on albums The Hissing Of Summer Lawns and Miles Of Aisles. George Harrison also invited Robben to tour in the US and Canada, giving him a big enough profile to launch his own solo journey. Prior to this he had formed jazz-fusion band The Yellowjackets, and later briefly worked with jazz trumpet legend Miles Davis. He has since gone on to tour and record with Larry Carlton and Michael Landau (with Jimmy Haslip, bass, and Gary Novak, drums) and recorded many great albums with his band The Blue Line.

Robben first came to many guitarists’ attention with the album,Talk To Your Daughter, on which his stunning, Dumbletoned soloing gained him many new fans.

Our two studies explore some of Robben’s concepts where he combines lyrical phrasing with a jazz inclined vocabulary, but presented in a more blues and ‘guitaristic’ manner.

NEXT MONTH Phil brings us two superb solos unleashing the licks of the legendary SRV

“George Harrison invited Robben to tour in the USA and Canada, giving him a big enough profile to launch his own solo journey”

Robben Ford with his rich-toned 1960 Fender Telecaster

Robben can be spotted playing anything from a Gibson ES-335 to a Fender Tele. His tone is a clear and smooth overdrive, produced by his legendary Dumble amplifiers. Start with a clean tone, and use a quality overdrive pedal with the gain set low, and the output set higher. This will push your amp a little harder and help locate its sweet spot. Experiment with your pick and perhaps use the fat end, as Robben does. Add reverb or delay to taste.