Geoff Achison

Geoff Achison is an award-winning blues-roots artist from Australia known for his energetic live performances and unique guitar mastery. Geoff began his apprenticeship with legendary Australian bluesman 'Dutch' Tilders establishing himself as a fine lead guitarist before striking out with his own. He released his debut album in the early 90s and began touring throughout the USA, UK & Europe. Geoff's music has been compared favourably to major artists such as Eric Clapton, JJ Cale and the Allman Brothers Band having a solid foundation in the blues but also embracing a variety of music styles. His songwriting is original and thoughtful with a wry sense of humour reminiscent at times of Randy Newman, Dr John and Mose Allison. He has won awards for his guitar playing, songwriting and live performances and was honoured in 2011 as official Patron Of the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society.

Geoff Achison was born on Phillip Island, the third of five siblings, and raised in the Victorian country town of Malmsbury. His parents were music lovers and when Geoff famously discovered a forgotten old guitar beneath the stairwell, his trumpet-playing father enthusiastically found him a guitar teacher. His first gigs were with his father's dance band where he displayed promise enough to attract the attention of local jazz musician Alan Watson. Through his new mentor he was exposed to jazz and improvisation. At Watson's suggestion Geoff temporarily switched to bass-guitar which provided him with a greater understanding of the rhythm section. After gaining valuable experience as a bassist Geoff developed a keen interest in American blues and returned to the six-stringed guitar with renewed vigour. He focused on the groove and sought to develop his own musical voice with an inventive, rhythmic style. In rural isolation, he was mostly unaware of the electronic effects employed by some guitarists and devised some of his own techniques to emulate the sounds of echo/delay, tremolo and wah-wah pedals which added to his unique playing style. - Official Website