John Fairhurst is a British blues and rock musician from Wigan, London. He works as a solo artist and also performs with a band line-up that includes Toby Murray on drums and Justin Kool on bass. His music combines blues, blues rock and rock with acoustic, folk and ragga elements, and it also draws on Indian raga.

Style and influences

Fairhurst’s guitar playing is rooted in slide blues and fingerpicking, with references to Son House, Bukka White, John Fahey, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. His singing is described as raw and forceful, and his songs often use a hard-edged, travelling-blues feel. He also incorporates eastern influences, linked to early contact with sarod player K. Shridhar and to his own travels through Asia.

Releases

He has three independent releases: Joys of Spring in 2008, John Fairhurst Band in 2010, and Hungry Blues in 2012. His fourth album, Saltwater, follows in 2014 and is recorded between Bristol and London. The Bristol sessions are engineered by Nathan Evans, while Alex Beitzke produces the London sessions at Dean Street. The album is mixed by Beitzke and mastered by Ray Staff. The recording includes contributions from Joe Strouzer on harp, Toby Murray on drums, Tim Louden on bass and Emma Divine on backing vocals.

Live work and touring

Fairhurst builds his reputation through extensive touring in the UK, Europe and beyond. He appears at major festivals including Glastonbury, SXSW, Green Man, Edinburgh Festival, Secret Garden Party, Shambala and Boomtown. He also holds residencies on the Harley Davidson European Festival and tours with Johnny Winter. In New York in 2009, he arranges and performs 14 sold-out shows over 15 days after arriving with only clothes and his resonator guitar.

Film and collaboration

His music appears in two films. The Beat Beneath My Feet uses six of his songs: “Obnox Stomp”, “I’m Coming Home”, “No Shelter”, “Hungry Blues”, “Big Dig” and “On the Run”. Tomorrow, directed by Martha Pinson and produced by Martin Scorsese, includes a cameo performance of “Light My Way”.

Recognition

His 2008 debut Joys of Spring receives critical praise, and later releases are also well received. He signs a worldwide publishing deal with Metropolis Publishing. His live work is noted for its loud, intense and energetic presentation, whether he performs solo or with his rhythm section.