*Courtesy of Moscow-Pullman Daily News
Tell me a little about yourself. I’m an acoustic fingerstyle Blues and Ragtime Guitarist / Singer. I’m also a Recording Producer.
How and when did you get involved in music? I am fortunate to have had professional musicians in my family. I got my first guitar when I was 8 years old, given to me by an uncle who toured with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra. And my parents were lifelong music enthusiasts. They exposed me to music from an early age, taking me to concerts, the symphony, and always playing music around the house. When I was 10 years old I saw Louis Armstrong perform and The Beatles, both in Portland.
How has your music grown and changed over time? How would you describe your sound? I learned to play guitar by listening to blues musicians, such as Charlie Patton and Mississippi John Hurt, so my sound is rooted in tradition but also contemporary and personal. I’ve developed a fingerpicking style that sounds like a full band played on solo guitar, in which I play the bass line, rhythm chords, and single-note leads simultaneously. Through my collaborations with John Fahey, my music has been associated with the American Primitive Guitar style, which draws upon diverse musical influences while rooted in the blues. I like to incorporate influences from other genres too, such as jazz, classical and world music, often utilizing odd time measures, to personalize my music. And I continue to learn and listen to music, always pushing myself forward.
What does music mean to you? Why is it important? Music is a form of self-expression, an artform, and is often referred to as the universal language. It’s one of the oldest forms of storytelling. It’s a gift.
Tell me about your personal progression as a band. How was the band formed? I’ve had bands over the years, and I have a trio that performs in Portland, but most of my work at this time is focused on my career as a solo artist.
What have you been listening to lately? Oscar Peterson and Hank Snow.
What's your favorite part of performing/touring? Performing for new audiences.
What's the hardest part of performing/touring? Travelling; there’s always a schedule and a lot of distance to cover. You get used to it.
What can patrons expect from your music/shows? Intensity. I’ll be playing solo acoustic fingerstyle guitar, but it won’t be mellow. I put a lot of energy into my performances.
Tell me about your latest work. What are you working on now? I released a mostly instrumental album called Cool On The Bloom in 2016, which I recorded for the Portland-based label NiaSounds. I’m recording its follow-up album right now, which should be out later this.
To learn more about Terry Robb visit his page at: https://www.terryrobb.com/home