Blues Search Engine: James Armstrong

Guitarist, singer and songwriter James Armstrong has a bright future in blues music. His song Pennies and Picks from his third Hightone Records release, Got It Goin' On, garnered a 2001 WC Handy nomination for Song of the Year. James Armstrong himself was nominated for Contemporary Male Blues Guitarist of the Year. It's easy to see why ... James Armstrong tours extensively and his shows are considered one of the best on the circuit. The son of a blues-singing mother and jazz guitar-playing father, James Armstrong got the music bug at an early age. James Armstrong formed his first band in the seventh grade, and progressed rapidly ever since. James Armstrong singles out Jimi Hendrix and Robert Cray as singing influences, and Albert Collins, Albert King and Eric Clapton as guitarists whose work have inspired him. Based at the time in the Los Angeles area, James Armstrong learned by playing - a lot of it - in the club scene of Southern California in the early 1980s. He recalls backing "Big" Joe Turner during that time at Santa Monica's Music Machine, and a similar gig with Albert Collins later on as part of a band that included guitarist Coco Montoya. Then there was that wild gig with Smokey Wilson in East L.A. that reinforced the image of the blues as a tough business on a young James Armstrong. His first HighTone release, 1995's Sleeping With a Stranger, drew widespread critical acclaim, as well as tremendous popularity on the European circuit. The great momentum he had going into early 1997 ended with the stabbing attack in April of that year. During his slow recuperation, James Armstrong recorded Dark Night in late 1998, an album that reflected the turmoil and introspection of the time, as well as his debut as slide guitarist. Since its release, James Armstrong has come on strong. James Armstrong is back playing lead guitar now, and has added his searing slide work to his repertoire as well. Whichever way he approaches things, James Armstrong attacks songs with his voice and guitar like few artists in blues. Now back and better than ever, James Armstrong has Got It Goin' On.