Matt Schofield was born in Manchester UK in 1977. From an early age he was immersed in the blues thanks to his Dad’s record collection. He became a professional guitarist at the age of 18 then spent four years with British Blues Diva and David Bowie prodigy Dana Gillespie, touring the UK, Europe and as far a field as India.
Seven years into his professional career, he formed his own band - a trio - with Hammond organist, Jonny Henderson and drummer, Evan Jenkins (now with BBC Jazz Award winner, Neil Cowley). The trio was unconventional in having no bass player, bass duties being handled on the Hammond organ, a format favored over the years by American bluesmen such as Albert King and Jimmie Vaughan. These days, however, Schofield has a bass player.
Schofield's seamless playing emulates the great styles of American blues guitar. He’s one of only two living British artists to be given a four star (excellent) rating in the Penguin Book of Blues Recordings and in 2007 Guitar and Bass Magazine picked Schofield as one of the "Top 10 British Blues Guitarists of All Time". If you’re a blues guitar fan, you’re going to like him.
Lay it down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag14mqNPJiU
Black cat bone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSMOGTVFVP8&feature=related
2010 Montreal Jazz Festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV-VJtYyWJI&feature=related
Siftin through ashes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5z8tjhVIRY&feature=related
Ear to the ground: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjiV_9KQiNs&feature=related
Don’t know what I’d do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3cA1GkG0VY&feature=related
I’m pairing Matt with a 2006 Shiraz Viognier from Yering Station in Australia. Deep purple color with a perfumed bouquet of dark fruit and violets, the latter due to the 5% Viognier. The palate shows blackberry and cassis flavors, firmed by supple tannins, that add grip to the back end. This wine clings to the palate, leaving a dark berry preserve quality behind. It received ratings of 92 and 91 from International Wine Cellar and Wine Spectator respectively, and at $20.00 a bottle, it’s a steal. So kick off the Monday with some great blues and a wonderful wine. Enjoy!
Cheers!
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