The respected blues powerhouse that is Buddy Guy has added another feather in his illustrious cap by the discovery of magical guitarist Quinn Sullivan. The real surprise? The kid’s only 14 years old. But that wasn’t the age that Mr Guy first came into contact with the New Bedford, Massachusetts resident. When young Quinn was only eight years of age, Buddy Guy was awed by his guitar playing as Quinn joined Guy on stage.
Since that night, Buddy Guy became a mentor to Quinn Sullivan, even allowing the youngster to play a stunning solo piece on “Whose Gonna Fill Those Shoes.” That song can be found on Guy’s 2008 Grammy-nominated album, Skin Deep. Skin Deep also featured luminaries like Eric Clapton, Robert Randolph, Derek Trucks, and Trucks’ beautiful (and beautifully talented) wife, Susan Tedeschi. What company to be in…
Since then, Quinn has done much to enhance his skills and soon-to-be overpowering stage skills. He has appeared on television numerous times (Jimmy Kimmel, Oprah, The Today Show, Ellen), shared stages with B.B. King and Johnny Lang, and has played at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, The Apollo, and The Beacon Theatre. He was the youngest individual to have ever played the Montreux Jazz Festival, and, more recently has played at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival at Madison Square Garden.
Legendary guitarist John McLaughlin has gone on record to say that Quinn “…plays just like Jimi [Hendrix]!” And again, Quinn Sullivan is only 14 years of age. (Imagine him at 24 years of age.)
I’m impressed — greatly!
On June 18, SuperStar Records will be releasing the new album from Quinn Sullivan called Getting There. The album will feature 13 songs. Sullivan is supporting his new album with a string of 21 tour dates, eight of which have already occurred, including the Clapton show.
Quinn Sullivan’s brand of blues, played on a Fender Stratocaster, will likely endear him to a new generation of blues fans. Personally, I’m excited to hear him in five years when his skills in all areas will mature with him. Certainly his latest album title says it all.
A quick trip to the Quinn Sullivan website allows you to stream this entire album, pre-release.
