Robben Ford

Robben Ford

Robben Ford is a blues, jazz and rock guitarist and songwriter from Ukiah, United States. He is born in 1951 and is raised in Ukiah after being born in Woodlake, California. He teaches himself guitar at 13 and names Mike Bloomfield as his first major influence.

Early bands and session work

At 18, Ford moves to San Francisco and forms the Charles Ford Blues Band, a group named after his father, who is also a guitarist. The band includes his brothers Mark Ford on mouth harp and Patrick Ford on drums. He then plays with Charles Musselwhite for nine months. His later work includes performances with Jimmy Witherspoon, the L.A. Express with Tom Scott, George Harrison and Joni Mitchell.

Yellowjackets and solo career

In 1977, Ford is a founding member of the Yellowjackets and remains with the group until 1983 while also maintaining a solo career and working as a session guitarist. He tours with Miles Davis in 1986 and has two periods with Sadao Watanabe, in 1985 and 1987.

Return to the blues

In 1992, Ford returns to blues and forms the Blue Line. He records blues-rock albums for Stretch that are regarded as among the strongest of his career. In 1999 he releases Sunrise on Rhino and Supernatural on Blue Thumb. He signs to Concord Jazz in 2002 and releases Blue Moon that year, followed by Keep on Running in 2003 and Truth in 2007. He also tours with Larry Carlton in 2007 while continuing to record solo albums.