Jeff Sipe (Drums, Percussion), Oteil Burbridge( Bass), Kofi Burbridge ( Keys and Flute), Matt Slocum (Clavinet), Greg Osby (Sax), Derek Trucks (Slide Guitar), Bobby Lee Rodgers (Leslie and Slide Guitar), Tyler Greenwell (Drums), Scott Kinsey (Organ), Ike Stubblefield (B3)
Always gutsy, adventurous, and melodic, never dorky or disingenuous, this under-recognized guitar hero just might have the power to make the F-, P-, and J-words (fusion, prog, and jam, as in “jam band”) good words again. Abstract Logix. —Jude Gold, Guitar Player Magazine
Lifeboat is Jimmy Herring’s album, and in that sense, he’s proven himself to be a great bandleader. But, more importantly, he’s opened himself up to us personally with this album, and – if you didn’t know it already – he’s a good soul. With a lot of heart. - Brian Robbins, Jambands.com
Herring's ability to confidently mix things up while playing with a refreshing honesty and lack of posturing throughout makes Lifeboat as rare a fusion record as he is a fusion guitarist. - John Kelman, All About Jazz
Lifeboat is further testimony to Herring's incandescent talent for songwriting, guitar virtuosity and his ability to serve as a catalyst for other accomplished musicians to streamline a coherent sound. Jimmy Herring ranks as one of the most gifted guitar players walking the planet...and music continues to be his everlasting lifeboat. - Swampland.com
I know I’m listening to a great guitar instrumental album when I forget that I’m listening to a guitar instrumental album. In other words, when the music grabs me more than the guitar playing. That’s what happens with Lifeboat. While the guitar playing is amazing, the music itself is equally good.- Guitar Lifestyle
Without question, this is one of the most inventive, fresh, and moving jazz releases of the year, and it's a huge triumph for Herring. - Rich Murray, Guitar Channel
Jimmy Herring's star is rising on the guitar horizon. He is one of the freshest new voices I've heard in many a year. He has successfully integrated his many fold influences while at the same time has found his own voice. No mean achievement! His future in music is assured. - John McLaughlin, Guitar Legend
Jimmy Herring, one of the best I have every played with. - Billy Cobham, Drum Legend
Influences
Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Bruce Hampton and many many more that wont even fit here in this little space
They say, “It ain’t braggin’ if you can do it.” Jimmy Herring is too modest to brag, but his guitar does a lot of the talkin’. And with the release of his first solo recording, Lifeboat, people are going to hear what Jimmy and his guitar have to say. Jimmy Herring is known for his limitless improvisations , long flowing phrases, and highly charged (and always very soulful) lead work. Lifeboat features Jimmy’s fiery guitar playing, and six Herring originals that showcase his stylistically diverse songwriting.
Jimmy Herring developed his reputation as a unique guitar player from years of performing and recording with top-tier musicians. After playing on the local scene of his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Jimmy attended and graduated from the Guitar Institute of Technology. In 1986, Jimmy moved to Atlanta, Georgia to teach at the Atlanta Institute of Music and quickly established himself. Herring still lives in Atlanta with his wife and two children.
In 1989, Jimmy joined singer and bandleader Col. Bruce Hampton and his group Aquarium Rescue Unit – a seminal jam band which mixed rock, free-jazz and bluegrass – and stayed until 1996. From 1998-99, nationwide exposure would come to Jimmy with the band Jazz Is Dead; which also featured drummer Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra), bassist Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report), and keyboardist T Lavitz (The Dregs). This group was known for playing jazz-fusion instrumental interpretations of classic songs by The Grateful Dead. Billy Cobham calls Jimmy Herring, “One of the best I have ever played with.”
Jimmy then played with The Allman Brothers Band for a summer tour in 2000. After the death of guitar great Jerry Garcia, The Grateful Dead’s bass player Phil Lesh continued to tour under the name Phil Lesh & Friends. Herring was a full-time member of this group from October 2000 to November 2005. In 2003 and 04 the surviving members of The Grateful Dead reunited and Herring was asked to fill the guitar chair.
Throughout this time, Jimmy Herring has continued to play in various side projects, notably Project Z with Jeff Sipe (drums) and Ricky Keller (bass). Lincoln Memorial, the second Project Z recording, was released in the fall of 2005. August 2006 found Jimmy taking over the guitar spot in the hugely popular jam band Widespread Panic; a gig that he continues to this present time.
With Lifeboat, Jimmy Herring is poised to move from sideman to the center of the stage. Lifeboat is a wide-ranging work. From foot stomping southern-flavored rockers; to modern bop and fusion; to a cover of the Wayne Shorter composition “Lost”; and melodic pieces full of subtlety and nuance; the music of Lifeboat allows Jimmy to express a full-range of emotions through his guitar.
Lifeboat will amaze people discovering Jimmy Herring for the first time…and surprise long-time fans as well.
Jimmy Herring - The Lifeboat Story (2008)
Put this video on your website. Copy the code below
Hey Jimmy love your tone ,style ,and songs ..Lifeboat is an awesome record I play it on my radio show ! I wish you well...hope to see you play down here in The Rio Grande Valley sooner or later the TEX/MEX BORDER if you will ! have a nice day Jimmy ! sincerely Texas Joe Valles Valles Flying MACHINE
Jimmy, John Sutton sent me a tape that you, John and Jerry Peel did in 86.... Cape Fear Funk is a great song and the metal tune you wrote is the shit... Friends have begged me for a copy.... The Steve Morse covers make my skin crawl... You should record the songs you wrote.... Nasty..... I listen to it daily.... You have grown musically so much since jamming in my basement but listening to your roots has been a blast.... Fusion is your heart bro.... Mike
The world serves us what it considers important, urgent, vital It prefers speed Effectiveness Results Ostentation Noise The illusion of certainty I wish for you to celebrate what serves no purpose I wish you beauty I wish for you to string pearls I wish for you to dream with your feet dangling in a pretty brook I wish for you to listen to birdsong I wish for you to lie down in a broad, poppy-strewn meadow I wish for you to have a small bike in your head I wish for you to experience love at first sight I wish for you " to carry coals to Newcastle" I wish for you to seek beauty Within yourself For yourself I wish for you only what is free Gracious Grace
Ciao,Jimmy Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis, I feel great admiration for you, you are a myth for me;-) I hope to listen soon to you, in italy .. all the best.. from italy..and good life.. every day neal
Dearest Jimmy, I listened to Lifeboat, and I truely enjoyed knowing how it was a compilation of you and your friends. The songs you wrote for your parents were insightfull into you as a musican. I love your style of loud guitar with Widespread Panic but it was awesome to listen to your jazz influenced rifts. Your the best guitarist with the most humble attitude. You Rock!! #1 Fan!!!
Online Now!
