Guitar legend and Gibson Signature artist Larry Carlton recently headlined a fantastic blues-focused master class hosted by the Guitar Institute (part of the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance) in London in association with Guitar Getaways Awaydays and Gibson Guitar.Grammy award winner Carlton is one of the world’s most important contemporary blues players and is perhaps best known among guitarists for his work during the 1970’s and 1980’s with the Crusaders and Steely Dan. He combined his universally acclaimed involvement with these bands with a prolific and prestigious session and solo career. His blues/jazz crossover lines are some of the most distinctive in the guitar playing world.

This exclusive event, which was his only UK appearance this year, was held at the fantastic Bedford live music venue in London. The evening featured a ninety minute guitar workshop delivered by the teaching faculty from the Institute, followed by a fabulous guitar Master class with Larry. The format gave all participants an insight into how the pros approach blues performance playing and a chance to hear Larry perform some incredible tunes on his limited-edition 50th Anniversary Gibson ES-335 in an intimate and laid-back environment. Several audience members were invited to get up and play alongside Larry and the Institute’s backing band, a once in a lifetime opportunity that they will never forget!