This month Andy G Jones investigates the sophisticated style of a fantastic contemporary blues artist, Manchester’s own Matt Schofield.

Matt Schofield here playing his beautiful 1961 Stratocaster

Matt Schofield’s style is an interesting blend of modern blues from the likes of Albert King and Jimi Hendrix, with the jazzier influence of Robben Ford. Manchester born Matt has been leading his own band for a long time now and has a large body of original songs to call upon. He often works in an organ trio format and this informs his rhythm style greatly.

Matt’s phrasing is flawless and this partly explains why he has been welcomed into the blues scene in the US, where he now resides.

He often cites BB King’s playing as an early influence but Hendrix is also an enduring inspiration. There are also traces of Albert King and Freddie King mixed with touches of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s style. These influences are melded with Matt’s own individual take on things to create a unified and consistent style.