Still only 19, Toby’s already a three-time winner of Young Blues Artist of the Year but the virtuoso guitarist is only getting started.
Toby’s debut all-original album ‘House On Fire’ received serious praise on its release in October, “an impressive, well-rounded collection highlighting Toby Lee’s versatility as well as virtuosity” (Mojo). Toby’s 2021 debut ‘Aquarius’ spent two weeks at #1 on the UK Jazz & Blues Album Chart. As you’d expect from someone that The Times hailed as, “One of the best guitarists in Britain,” his six-string talents dazzle throughout with a rich tapestry of scorching leads, evocative melodies and swaggering grooves. Yet his vocals have come on leaps-and-bounds, his maturity and emotional expression providing a voice strong enough to front a band regardless of his guitar skills.
Toby Lee’s talents have been recognised by an array of legends. When he was 10, a get well soon video that he made for BB King went viral, leading to an invitation from the blues legend’s family to play at his club in Memphis, while the late Bernie Marsden was an early mentor and champion. He subsequently shared the stage with the likes of Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, Slash, Billy Gibbons and Peter Frampton, while enjoying other high profile moments, such as starring in a West End production of ‘School of Rock’, performing with McFly on ‘Tonight at the London Palladium’ and being a guest on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’. Toby has now exceeded 500 million views on social media.
His ability has been recognised with numerous endorsements. He has been a Gibson artist since the age of 10, and a recent highlight came when he helped launch Gibson’s custom Jeff Beck ‘YardBurst’ 1959 Les Paul Standard alongside fellow guests including Jimmy Page, Johnny Depp and Graham Coxon. Blackstar Amplification issued his own signature amp, the St James Toby Lee 50 6L6 head and cab, and he is also endorsed by D’Addario Strings.
This year’s live highlights have included electrifying the acoustic stage at Glastonbury, headlining the Thrill Blues Festival in Croatia, and playing France’s guitar all-star Guitare en Scène festival. But the biggest moment has come with his connection to Jools Holland. He has toured extensively with Jools in the UK and internationally over 66 shows as Jools’s youngest ever featured artist joining him on-stage to play ‘House On Fire’ alongside other selections.
VENUE: EXETER PHOENIX, Auditorium
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