Todd Sharpville

"Todd Sharpville's talent as a songwriter, singer and guitarist borders on genius” – Duke Robillard
"The best British player I've heard since Peter Green" - Hubert Sumlin
"The Meaning Of Life is one of the classiest albums of the year" - “home-grown guitar star” – The Times (UK)

Born into a family of mixed heritage (half South American and half British) Todd Sharpville is one of Europe¹s hottest modern blues guitar exports. He also carries with him the novelty accolade of being the world's first "blue blooded bluesman" being a titled member of one of Britain's oldest aristocratic families (it transpires that even Her Majesty gets the blues!). Inspired by the likes of T. Bone Walker, Magic Sam, Buddy Holly, Freddie King, Bob Dylan, Lightnin' Hopkins & mentored from the age of 16 by the legendary Joe Louis Walker, Todd’s career came to life on the International blues arena with the release of his debut album in 1994: "Touch Of Your Love" (Red Lightnin` Records RLCD0095). Up until then, he could be found jamming at numerous clubs and bars both home and abroad, but it was with this release that he suddenly found critical acclaim to the highest of degrees. Since then, his discography (not even counting the numerous commercial sessions he has played on) boasts an impressive 41 releases.
Touch of Your Love swiftly opened up the doors to critical acclaim, and in 1994 Todd won "Best Album" in the British Blues Awards, shortly before winning "Best Guitarist" in 1995 (beating fellow nominees, Eric Clapton & Gary Moore). The album was applauded by the majority of the worlds` blues press, whilst Todd and his band consequently spent 2-3 years on the road (covering the UK, the USA, and most of Europe). He was also regularly called on to provide backing for visiting American artists, many of whom were the very legends that had inspired him as a child. These included Hubert Sumlin, Byther Smith, Chuck Berry, and Ike Turner. Between the time Todd spent his blues pupilage in the USA and when he finally came off the road in early 2000, he had won the respect of many of the living artists that had first inspired him as a child. His guitar skills were also regularly called upon on a session basis by a variety of names including Van Morrison, George Michael & Robbie Williams. By this phase of his life, Sharpville had in addition created London’s most notorious regular club jam session, which he co-hosted on a weekly basis with Earl Green (Otis Grand’s old sideman, and commonly referred to as the most critically acclaimed blues singer in Britain). Guest jammers included the likes of Larry Garner, the Fats Domino Band, Joe Louis Walker, Jerry Portnoy, Paul Lamb, Eugene Bridges, Larry McCray, Dana Gillespie, and Nine Below Zero (with whom Todd shared the same management for over 5 years). The Weavers jam saw some of the most compelling performances and magical combinations of both UK & visiting name artists, in the most sociable of environments. It also gave birth to a veritable plethora of new bands & partnerships, many of which went on to achieve great things…
The 90’s also saw a long-term musical collaboration with British blues diva Dana Gillespie. Todd & Dana originally became close friends after realising that the ex Jools Holland alto-sax virtuoso, Mike Paice, had been secretly moonlighting in both their bands! This friendship led to Todd guesting on no less that 5 Dana Gillespie albums, and countless performances with her & her band around the world (including the now legendary “Mustique Blues Festival” on the private Caribbean island of the same name). Despite a three-year musical gap in his solo career (caused by contractual difficulties with his old record label & then management), Todd legally won back the right to record under his own name, and returned with an all out traditional release. “The Meaning Of Life” (Cathouse/Revolver/Universal CRCD 0057 - 2001) eclectically embodied every old-school tradition bar the Delta. It also featured a myriad of guest vocalists and players: Mick Taylor, Snowy White, Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges, Paul Lamb, Leo Sayer, and Keith Dunne. Outselling every other blues release from Britain that year, “The Meaning Of Life” spearheaded Todd’s re-emergence in Europe, additionally opening up the doors to the USA blues market. He toured the album heavily, with both Mick Taylor & Leo Sayer individually appearing as special guests with The Todd Sharpville Band for over a year. Additionally, the “M of L” opened the ears of the industry to Todd’s writing skills, both musical & lyrical. This resulted in various writing collaborations, including 4 songs with Mick Lister (Amy Winehouse, The DumDums, Bad Company, S Club 7, etc) & the opening cut of Ana Popovic’s 2003 release “Comfort To The Soul” (Ruf Records). The tour schedule for the Meaning Of Life also introduced Sharpville to the USA’s Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. This annual week-long festival on a 5star ocean liner in the Caribbean is