Draft:Oliver Darling

Oliver Darling (born Brailes, Warwickshire) is an English Blues Guitarist best known for his work with the Imelda May Band and Tanita Tikaram

Early Life
Oliver was born into a farming family in the South Warwickshire Cotswolds. His father, was an aficionado of Country Blues Music whose record collection became an influence after his Mother bought Oli a guitar at a jumble sale. He had expressed an interest in learning after hearing Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix at school. His first gigging band, The Bluetits was formed when 15 while studying at Kineton High School, Warwickshire. The other members of the group were older musicians he met through his Uncle Martin who is a drummer. These included ex Steve Marriott and The DTs members Chas Chaplin and Craig Rhind.



Career
While still at School, Oliver started playing sessions for the legendary songwriter/producer Kenny Young at the local Lazy Moon Studios in Brailes aged 13. He worked with Young on many subsequent occasions including his Rhythms del Mundo project. After studying Horticulture while playing evenings and weekend, Oli was offered the chance to turn professional via friend, Andy Silvester who required an arm operation and asked Oli to stand-in for his gigs with Mike Sanchez. His 4 year tenure included extensive touring in the UK, Europe and included performing in Las Vegas. After touring and album work on "Closer to the People " for Tanita Tikaram and UK tours and TV work with Tony Christie he was asked to replace the departing Darrel Higham in the Imelda May band. He has performed with her band since 2015 most recently playing on her album "11 Past the Hour ".

Solo Career
The Dirty Robbers were initially formed as a side band to fill in the time between tours and recording work. They released the albums “The Dirty Robbers 1st Album” and “Please Mr Jailer” and the singles “I told you so” and “Do You Love Me”. Oliver regularly performs live with his own band “Oliver Darling and the Living Legends” and as a member of “Geraint Watkins and the Mosquitos”. Mid 2022 saw the release of Oliver Darling’s first solo album “Lee’s Blues ”, focusing on the Clawhammer Guitar style of players such as Big Bill Broonzy and Sam Chatmon. The album also features guest appearances from Rollo Markee and Rob Pokorny. Lee’s Blues reached Number 4 in the Roots Music Report Album Charts in December 2022

In November 2022 Oliver featured in Edition 251 of Blues in Britain magazine

In February 2023, Oliver featured in Edition 17-8 of Blues Blast Magazine

Oliver has also been the subject of a Fifteen Question interview also featured in Strange Brew

Performances with Other Artists
Oliver has performed live with many well known artists including Robert Plant, Andy Fairweather Low, Little Willie Littlefield, Marc Almond, Jeff Beck, Bob Geldoff, Ronnie Wood and Nick Lowe

Equipment
Oli originally played a Fender Stratocaster but now regularly plays Gibson ES-135 guitar and a Fender Bassman Amplifier formally used by Buddy Guy. He also owns a Martin D-28 for acoustic work.