American guitarist Jimmy Herring can be described as a musician’s musician. North Carolina native Herring has been playing guitar for over 40 years, and he shows signs that he is just starting. Herring is a staple of the Jazz Fusion and Jam Band scene. He studied guitar at Berklee College of Music as well as the Guitar Institute of Technology. His playing style blends Jimi Hendrix’s raw emotion with the twang of Steve Morse and the flowing phrases and melodies of jazz legends Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and John Coltrane. Along with Jeff Sipe and Oteil Burbridge, Matt Mundy, Herring was a founding member of the seminal Col Bruce Hampton and The Aquarium Rescue Unit. He joined Butch Trucks and Derek Trucks in 1997. After that, he formed Frogwings with Marc Quinones, Oteil Burbridge and Kofi Burbridge. Jimmy was invited to join Phil Lesh’s band, which lasted for a good portion of the decade. He was also asked to join The Other Ones, which included members of the Grateful Dead. Jimmy founded Project Z, an instrumental experimental trio with Jeff Sipes and Ricky Keller. Widespread Panic requested Jimmy to join the band full-time after the passing of Mike Houser, a much loved and respected guitarist. Jimmy is still the lead guitarist and full-time performer of the band. Herring has been featured on over twenty records. Amazingly, he has only released two solo albums. The humble guitarist quit his side gigs to release his first solo album, Lifeboat (Abstract logix) in 2008. This highly melodic album shows Jimmy’s personal side, something that was not evident in previous projects. Herring explored many styles of Jazz and Fusion with Lifeboat. Herring shared the stage with fellow musicians, whether it was his soulful, diminished blues “Scapegoat Blues” or his passionate ballad, “New Moon”, which reveals his Dregs influences. This album showed Jimmy’s writing skills and his playing abilities beyond his realm and was a favourite of both his loyal fans and new ones like John McLaughlin and Chick Corea. The second solo album, Subject to Change without Notice (Abstract Logix 2012), by Jimmy Herring is an impressive record that elevates Herring’s music to a new level. Herring is again surrounded by close friends and produced by John Keane. This record features mostly originals, as well as covers of George Harrison’s Within You. Without You and Jimmy McGriff’s Miss Poopie. Herring makes music out of love for music, it is evident. Herring is a clear example of how his music and playing abilities are constantly improving, and that his music will delight fans and fellow musicians. From www.jimmyherring.net
