“Colin is the ultimate all-rounder. Great guy, great player. He can rock, he can roll, play the blues, the golds… any shade or grade I want or need he seems to effortlessly deliver. He can strum, shine, hold back or jump in. He is well-versed, well-read, has excellent time, and a tremendous musical knowledge and sensibility that informs his stellar playing” — Julia Fordham
[button style=”outline white large” link=”mailto:colinryan@mac.com”]Contact [/button]
Hello and welcome to my website
My name is Colin and I play guitar. I’ve been doing it for a number of years and it’s taken me pretty much around the world. I’ve performed in London’s Royal Albert Hall, Hammersmith Apollo (or whatever it’s called now), Wembley Arena, done loads of live (and pre-recorded) TV, contributed to TV and movie soundtracks, played on hit records, entertained royal families of several countries, and generally done a million gigs. Slight exaggeration about the gigs, but not much.
Artists I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of working with include Julia Fordham, Louise Goffin, Jane Siberry, Doña Oxford, Mari Wilson, Sean Wiggins and Lenny Goldsmith (former singer and keyboard player with Tower of Power). I live in Los Angeles now, but I’m from London, England, and the musicians I’ve worked with there are among the best found anywhere – people who have played and/or sung for Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, Jeff Beck, George Michael, and many others.
Stylistically, I cover a lot of ground from sensitive singer-songwriter stuff to bossa nova to jazz to deep funk to loud rock to slide-guitar Americana to boogie-woogie to blues to soul to pop to country twang to ambient mucking around. It’s all music, right? And I’ve done duos to 16-piece setups. Oh, and an orchestra.
We could talk about gear, but no one will really care beyond whether it sounds any good. I have electric guitars of both Fender and Gibson persuasions, acoustics with steel strings and acoustics with nylon strings, a soprano electric (one octave higher than a regular guitar), a bass, ukulele, and amps that work in small and large situations. Plus a bunch of pedals – it’s a guitarist thing.
MeTube
Here are some videos of me at work with some great artists.
Julia Fordham is one of the great singers and songwriters. There is a video of us playing her song “Love” at the Roxy in Los Angeles and also a great tune sung by Jamie Hartman (who also wrote it) duetting with Julia Fordham. It gets pretty intense. Please stick around for the guitar solo on the outro.
There’s a clip from playing with the Muse-ique orchestra, accompanying the fabulous and multiple Grammy-nominated Nnenna Freelon.
Doña Oxford is a force of musical nature. She’s studied with Johnny Johnson, Chuck Berry’s pianist, and played for Albert Lee (amazing guitarist). She really comes into her own as a front person, playing ridiculous piano and writing superb songs.
Jane Siberry walks her own artistic path. It was a wonderful experience to share a few steps with her.
And then there is just a little pre-gig warming up, but the bass player is none other than the legendary Leland Sklar, who has played with absolutely everyone. What a thrill to share a stage with him. The drummer, Shay Godwin, is fantastic too.
JULIA FORDHAM – ‘LOVE’ – live from Los Angeles
DONA OXFORD – He’s My Baby
DONA OXFORD – Boogie Woogie
JULIA FORDHAM – STAY
JULIA FORDHAM – Love is Everything – A duet with Jane Siberry
COLIN RYAN with Leland Sklar
JULIA FORDHAM – Calling All Angels – A duet with Jane Siberry
JULIA FORDHAM – STALEMATE (featuring Jamie Hartman)
DONA OXFORD at Witzend
Press
[themify_press_posts limit=”4″ style=”grid2″ post_meta=”no” image_w=”150″ image_h=”200″ display=”all”]
Gallery
Gallery
Click on a thumbnail to see a slideshow of full size images >>
Events
[themify_event_posts style=”grid2″ limit=”8″ past_events=”no”]
Links
Links
Julia Fordham is an amazing writer and singer. The London Daily Telegraph agrees: “A stylish pop balladeer with a voice that glides easily between the languor of Sade and the smooth high notes of Philadelphia soul.”
Doña Oxford is a force of nature. More than a pianist, singer and writer, but truly great at all three.
Sean Wiggins covers a lot of ground as a writer, singer and performer. And the area that’s a bit soulful and a bit country-ish, kinda Bonnie Raitt/Shelby Lynne-ish, is a particularly sweet spot.
Lenny Goldsmith is the man behind The New Old and also the man who fronts it. Lenny used to be in Tower of Power. We play, have fun and there are some amazing musicians in the band.
Rachel Gray has taken several of the shots on this site. She’s an excellent photographer, a wonderful person and has made a short film called The Ravine.
Medicine for Humanity works to help African women recover from devastating injuries caused by childbirth.
Contact me
Contact me
You can contact Colin Ryan by completing the contact form: