BEN SMITH

Genre: Blues, Funk, Folk, Acoustic, Singer-Songwriter

Location: Cambridge, England

Discography: The Ben Smith Sampler Vol. 1 EP (2014)

Record Label: Independent

Website: http://www.bensmithguitar.com/

Ben Smith is a very good guitarist and singer-songwriter originally from Hertfordshire but now based in Cambridge. We first met Ben at a Folkstock event back in February 2014 and was very impressed with his performance. Ben is a musician that we would love to see produce a debut album, as we think it would be be very special.

Ben started playing the guitar when he was nine years old. He actually wanted to play the banjo, but due to the lack of banjo teachers in rural Hertfordshire he started to learn the guitar, with the intention of switching to the banjo at a later date. That still hasn't happened.

Shortly after starting to play he was introduced to the sounds of B.B King, and never looked back.

With a style that is influenced by the greats of the blues, funk, folk and beyond, Ben plays a pretty mean acoustic or electric guitar, and has a voice to match. After years playing many gigs in many styles, with many different bands and people, Ben was inspired by a three month stay in New Orleans, (where he got a chance to play with a host of internationally renowned musicians.) to go out on his own (or at least under his own name) and pursue his own style and sound.

Things are going pretty well, he has supported the great Joan Armatrading on her last and current tours, as well as playing support for acts such as Robert Cray, Jon Gomm, Matt Schofield, Wilko Johnson, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Stefan Grossman and Ian McCullogh.

He has recently shared the bill with Gordon Giltrap, John Etheridge, Paul Brett, Gareth Pearson and 'Tubular Bells' producer Tom Newman.

In late 2014 he released "The Ben Smith Sampler Vol. 1" and a full album of new original material is scheduled for release later in 2015.