Cult Blues Guitarist Robben Ford Talks Playing With Joni Mitchell, George Harrison, and Others Ahead of Nov 10-11 Blue Note Gigs

Beloved Beatle George Harrison had his flaws. Folks like Joni Mitchell will "make you want to do your best for them." And sibling rivalry eases with age – at least if you're in a band together. These are the lessons that long-heralded guitarist Robben Ford has picked up throughout his nearly fifty years of playing and performing. He started off as a teen with his brothers in the Charles Ford Blues Band, which they named after their father. But in the ensuing years, and throughout much of the '70s, his career in the jazz and blues world quickly took off, and by the '80s Ford was recruited to perform and play sessions with the likes of Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis, and even "The Quiet Beatle," George Harrison. Ahead of his Nov 10 and 11 gigs at Blue Note Beijing, Ford tells us about all that and more.

What music have you been working on lately, and what have been some of the biggest inspirations and muses for it?
I’m currently writing for a new record. The first inspiration was looking for a sound something like the Chicago blues of the 1960s. I'm also a fan of Alabama Shakes, particularly their newest record Sound And Color.

You're not only a gifted guitarist, but also a generous teacher, having made many instructional videos and put on classes. Who have been some of the most gifted students you've worked with, and how is that fulfilling for you?
I love passing along what I’ve learned and seem to be good at explaining musical concepts that might appear complex in a more simple and understandable way. I don’t teach privately so I have no outstanding student that I’m aware of. Hopefully, people are picking up on the really important things through the videos.

I've read that you and your brothers created your first band, the Charles Ford Blues Band, in honor of your father. What are your fondest memories of that time?
We named the band after our father because three of us were brothers and it just seemed the obvious thing to do. He showed me my first guitar chords and always encouraged us to pursue music wholeheartedly. As far as playing with my brothers goes it's actually more fun now than it was then as we are all a little more mature, if you know what I mean.

What are some of your favorite memories of working with Joni Mitchell?
She was a great musician and lovely person. Rare people like her make you want to do your best for them, and it brings out the best in everybody. I learned more in her company, and that of the other musicians around her, than at any other time in my life.

What was it like to tour with George Harrison?
George was not really prepared for that tour, so it was a little chaotic. Beautiful guy and very generous with me and everyone else, though. But he never did a full-on tour again, I think knowing it wasn’t for him to lead a band and tour the world. He had other interests.

Robben Ford will perform at Blue Note tonight (Nov 10) at 7.30pm and tomorrow (Nov 11) at both 6.30pm and 9pm. Tickets range from RMB 280-480. For more information, click here.

Photos: kuumbwajazz.com, inlive.org, guitarshoptv.com