Guy King (born 1977)[1] is an Israeli-born blues and jazz guitarist and singer who now lives in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Guy King's playing style has been influenced by many jazz, soul and blues musicians which include B.B. King, and Albert King.[2]
King was born and raised in Israel.[3] He was exposed bossa nova and salsa as a child.[4] At age 7 King played the clarinet, and at 10 years old, he was part of a conservatory orchestra. When he was 13, he began playing guitar.[5]
At 16 he toured the United States with an Israeli singing group. King had to serve three years of compulsory military service in Israel. Just Twelve days after King was discharged from the military in 1999 (age 21), King moved to Memphis, Tennessee. After a short time in Memphis, King then moved to New Orleans before settling in Chicago.[3]
King was in Chicago blues singer Willie Kent's band The Gents for six years, becoming Kent's bandleader. After Kent died, King for a time wanted to play less and declined an offer to lead the band. He subsequently began his solo career.[6][7]
King began his solo career in 2006. In 2009, King released his first solo album, Livin' It, and two more albums, I Am Who I Am And It Is What It Is and By Myself. In 2015, King signed with Delmark Records and Delmark released his 2016 album Truth.[6] In 2021 he released the studio album Joy Is Coming.[8]
King is known for an unusual technique of plucking the strings with the side of his thumb. The way King holds his guitar and plucks the strings is similar to the jazz musician Wes Montgomery.[9] His style which has been described as "eclectic".[2]
^ abHeidt, John (15 May 2016). "Guy King". Vintage Guitar. Vintage Guitar, Inc. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
^Mullins, Terry (2 December 2016). "Featured Interview - Guy King". Blues Blast Magazine. Blues Blast Magazine Inc. 2 December 2016. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
^ abKerzner, Barry (24 August 2016). "Guy King Brings Truth to His Blues". American Blues Scene. American Blues Scene, LLC. Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
^Cain, Linda. "Interview with Guy King". Chicago Blues Guide. Chicago Blues Guide LLC. Archived from the original on 2 November 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
^ abBuckley, Brant (8 June 2021). "Guy King: Joy is Coming". American Blues Scene. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
^"Guy King". North Shore Center. North Shore Center For The Performing Arts. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
