Established band seeks world-class blues guitarist

WE’RE a very well-established blues band, with a nationwide reputation, a seven-year track record, internationally-acclaimed CDs and some great gigs on the book for 2017. We’re looking for a brilliant new guitarist to take over when our current guy moves on to pastures new this summer.

What we need is a stunning, tasteful player with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of blues – from pre-war acoustic country blues, through the classic Chicago blues repertoire, to cutting-edge contemporary blues. Someone who truly appreciates what NOT to play as much as what to play and knows how to play for the song, rather than regarding songs as mere vehicles for soloing. You’ll also have a true appreciation of dynamics and enjoy letting songs “breathe” live, rather than always sticking to a rigid format.

We’re looking for a guitarist as good at slide (open-tuned and standard tuning) as at normal playing, has good, reliable, gear and transport, robust good health and the commitment required to play regular gigs all over the country. Backing vocals would be useful, and if you can contribute to songwriting, better still.

What we’re NOT looking for is any kind of blues-rocker, so Hendrix/SRV/Bonamassa/Gary Moore clones, please stop reading now! The music we love is Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Hound Dog Taylor, Taj Mahal, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Johnny Winter, Luther Allison, Gary Clark Jr, early Sonny Landreth, Derek Trucks, the Red Devils, SPIKEdrivers…stuff with a groove, passion, feel and dynamics.

Above all, you’ll be honest, considerate and fit in socially with the rest of us – not that we’re all that hard to get along with. Promise!

Our current guitarist has agreed to honour our gigs until the end of June, so the plan is to rehearse with the new person so they’re ready to take over in July. If you’re ready before then, then so well and good. On the whole, we’re not all that big on rehearsals, so once you’re comfortable with the set, it’ll just be the occasional practice to work up new songs.

On some gigs we earn pretty reasonable money, on others not so much – if you’ve played on the blues scene for long you’ll know what we’re saying. But one way or another, you’ll get your fair share of whatever’s going, without ever being asked to chip in for rehearsals, recording sessions, or CD production.

Sounds like a tall order? Well, it is. You’ll have some big boots to fill, but if we haven’t managed to put you off yet, please get in touch!