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Andy Gunn Biography

 

“A true guitar great of the old school and a living blues legend of the modern age” – Rob Ellen

“Exceptionally fine guitarist” – Uncut Magazine

Andy Gunn is one of Scotland’s leading and most prolific blues guitarists and vocalists. His truly original, intuitive and soulful playing has drawn comparisons to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix, and he has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the business.

Andy can articulate the blues like no other and his optimism, style and astounding talent ensure his performances are electrifying, uplifting and unforgettable experiences. From supporting Buddy Guy at The Queen’s Hall, jamming with Albert Collins and backing Geno Washington at the first Belladrum Festival, Andy’s career has led him to play alongside the best soul and blues acts in the world.

Heralded as ‘a great lost Scottish talent and one of our finest ever blues players’ (Medicine Music), Andy Gunn’s inspirational return to the music scene was proclaimed, in his own undeniable style, by the acclaimed 2015 album Miracle of Healing.

This was followed up by the irrefutable 2017 record Too Many Guitars to Give up Now. This highly anticipated fifth album featured some of Scotland’s most exciting talent and took Andy back to his blues roots with flair, style and grace.

These releases were the result of great personal struggle. When Rob Ellen wrote ‘Andy Gunn is the blues’, he was referring to the deep tragedies that have affected the artist’s life and health. Born with Haemophilia, Andy was one of the patients affected by blood products contaminated with HIV and Hepatitis C as a child. He campaigned to bring justice for his fellow victims for many years, eventually succeeding in helping to get compensation for the affected community.

These infections played a large part in Andy falling into alcoholism, depression and addiction as a teenager. Andy has now been in recovery for many years; however, he has also battled HIV-related cancer twice. Through this strife, Andy’s desire to play, as well as strong support from fellow musicians, meant the years lost to illness were transmuted into the brilliant and soulful album Miracle of Healing. This intelligent articulation of personal tragedy, wealth of experience and unique talent exemplifies Andy’s true, old-school blues talent.

Andy discovered blues at an early age when his parents gifted him with his first guitar, and he uncovered his mother’s Rock ‘N’ Roll record collection. Inspired by blues masters like Lightnin’ Hopkins and Muddy Waters, Andy’s love of the genre quickly transformed into a mature talent. At just 17 years old, Andy and his first band Jumpin’ the Gunn flew to Memphis with Virgin Records’ blues label Point Blank.
Before long Andy was learning from and exchanging riffs with Al Green’s rhythm section and Pop Staples, to name a few, and his raw talent developed into a prodigious touch which has cemented his rightful place as a world class talent.

Years later, Andy returned to the US once again, this time on a voyage of musical discovery taking in New York, Chicago, Memphis, Nashville and New Orleans. The stint was spent jamming with great musicians, igniting the music scene and even sparking the comment: “Damn, I didn’t know they picked cotton in Scotland!”

In the intervening years, Andy has played alongside The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, with members of Gary Moore’s Midnight Blues Band, Martin Stephenson, and toured with four-time British Blues best harp player Errol Linton; and released four albums between 2001 and 2013.

Andy Gunn continues to go from strength to strength, giving audiences at gigs and festivals throughout the UK a taste of his natural blues talent. With a 2018 sell-out Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, From T-Bone To Trucks, under his belt, Andy is set to bring the show back in 2019 alongside a captivating debut celebration of string instruments, Fingers and Thumbs.

It looks like Blues in Britain magazine had it right when they described Andy’s music as ‘a resounding triumph over adversity’.