It seems like ages ago, but I first saw Jimmy Herring with Aquarium Rescue Unit circa 1992. I had no idea who he was but he was effortlessly shredding away on a cool, black Fender Strat with his trademark ponytail flowing in the breeze. He had a bluesy, jazzy, almost bluegrass sounding style to his playing and he was a nice element in the mix of Col. Bruce Hampton, Oteil Burbridge and the boys. I walked away thinking, “Who was that on guitar?”

Unfortunately I lost track of him after that for a few years–that is until someone introduced me to Jazz Is Dead. I had always been a closet deadhead, so the music was certainly up my alley. However, for me this re-introduction really cemented his playing and style in my mind and I became a big fan. In fact, as perhaps a newer guy to the scene when compared to some of the jazz guitar greats, he quickly rose to the top of my list and I found myself copping some of his licks here and there.

Jimmy Herring got his start in Fayetteville, NC where he cut his teeth in one of his earliest bands, Paradox. These guys were doing Dixie Dregs, Al Dimeola, even Chuck Mangione covers and believe it or not, Jimmy Herring was playing the saxophone! Although also showing talent on the guitar, it took him a few years to change over and he eventually graduated from GIT in California. Shortly thereafter he joined Col. Bruce Hampton and Aquarium Rescue Unit for a few years, until he was offered a job with the Allman Brothers after Dickie Betts was arrested in 1992. He ended up leaving ARU for a full-time (and better paying!) gig touring with the Allmans in 1994.

In 1998 he got the opportunity to form Jazz Is Dead with another set of awesome musicians–T. Lavitz (RIP), Billy Cobham and Alphonso Johnson. This is his best band, imo. Not only were the Dead covers done with style and precision, but they left the music wide open to showcase the band’s incredible technique and jazz-jam style. This is where I started really listening to his playing and adept guitar skills. Jimmy Herring has a real jazz head and timing to his playing, although perhaps maybe more correctly labeled as a “jam” guitarist. I always thought he was way better than the majority of jam players on the scene and belonged with more of the jazzy guys. However, I think the selection of bands might have been a little confining to his overall style. Regardless of the musical act he is with, he always shows a fantastic restraint with his choice of notes, ability and phrasing; he really is more than just another shredder guitarist.

This particular element of his playing is most obvious to me in his years filling Jerry’s role in The Dead. We can all love Jerry for his great contribution to the musical world, but let’s face it–he was not the player that Mr. Herring is. I thought it was awesome that Jimmy could come into the role with his amazing skills and still summon up the old Garcia licks and vibe. Honestly, it was like a newer, more skilled version of Jerry and the band sounded so much better! (No disrespect to JG and the guys, but from a guitar point of view it was so damn obvious!)

Unfortunately, this iteration was short lived and The Dead moved on to (imo) a weaker, less interesting guitarist. After that, Jimmy had a short stint with Code Talkers, rejoining his old buddy Col. Bruce Hampton on stage again after many years in 2005. His big break came the following year when he was offered the job with Widespread Panic in 2006.

Personally, I am torn about this particular gig. I love Widespread and even though the guitar element was never that great, the compositions and jams were a lot of fun and memorable. I never really liked the guys that filled in for Panic after he died, especially George McConnell, who was just a waste of time. On the other hand, Jimmy’s remarkable jazz-jam guitar shredding style is just way too over the top for Widespread and it sounds forced at times, as if the band is having trouble keeping up with Mr. Herring. At the end of the day, I am happy that Jimmy likely landed his most profitable gig to date. Yeah, the jazz notes and nuance are not there and his soloing is overkill, but big ups to getting that well deserved paycheck after so many years!

If you haven’t yet heard Jimmy Herring’s playing you have many outlets to choose from, whether you like bluegrass, jazz, jam, fusion or rock. I would direct the listener to Jazz is Dead first and then he/she can decide where to go next. What you’ll hear is a very smooth, warm and heady jazz player who perhaps found his niche playing in the jam scene. Don’t let the loose feel and obtuseness of the jam scene dissuade you–this guy is the real deal and a guitar player’s guitar player. Get Jimmy Herring in your mix today!