biography

"One of the two or three best guitarists in the country, he's made an album which combine the best qualities of J.J. Cale and Ali Farka Touré" Charlie Gillett, BBC London

The 21st century Nomadic Bluesbreakers come to town! Their swaying grooves and parched tones invoke desert landscapes, Arizona or Sahara, an ancient / contemporary take on blues - a Moorish blues with echoes of the call to prayer and African trance.

Justin Adams is the leader of the tribe. One the UK's most original and inspirational guitarists, he released his first solo CD Desert Road in 2000. Folk Roots called it 'a Masterpiece', Songlines: 'An Outstanding Achievement'. He was described by Robin Denselow in the Guardian as 'Britain's answer to Ry Cooder'. It was this album that so impressed Robert Plant and initiated their collaboration on projects including the now legendary Festival of the Desert. Since 2001 Justin has been guitarist and co-writer for Robert Plant's band Strange Sensations and played on Plant's Grammy-nominated album Dreamland. Justin Adams also features together with Robert Plant on the celebrated Festival in the Desert album (2003) in addition to the documentary film of the same event.

Justin is noted also for his production work - including three albums by French band LO'JO who were seminal in creating the Festival in the Desert. In 2001 the third release on Justin's Wayward label was The Radio Tisdas Sesions by the critically acclaimed Tuareg Rebel Blues group Tinariwen. It was recorded by Justin and LO'JO during a month long stay in the Sahara which culminated in the first Festival in the Desert at which Justin performed as well as acted as stage manager.

And what a pedigree the man has: his pioneering work in the early '90s with Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart, recording and touring with Sinead O'Connor & Natacha Atlas, co-writing albums for Ali Slimani and Cara Dillon. Film projects include writing the soundtrack for the film KIN (set in Namibia, collaborating with South African musicians) and contributing to the soundtrack of the Bosnian Jasmin Dizdars' film Beautiful People. Justin's individual style has also led him to work with Brian Eno, Hector Zazou, Peter Gabriel, Billy Bragg, The Indigo Girls, Moodswings, Hukwe Zawose and U-Cef.

Justin Adams and the Wayward Sheikhs are touring the UK this summer. The line-up is completed by Andy Cox (ex-Beat, Fine Young Cannibals), bass player Simon Edwards (Billy Bragg Bloke and ex-Fairground Attraction) / Femi Akinde, master percussionist Salah Dawson Miller, and drummer Oluseyi Akinde.