Magazine: Gregg Wright visits Suffolk College

The veteran guitarist talked of his time playing in tough clubs in the southern States through to working with the Jacksons in 100,000 seater stadiums, before treating the young audience to blistering performances of tracks from his latest album King of the Rockin’ Blues.

Several of the young instrumentalists and singers then joined him onstage for an impromptu jam session. Teenage guitarist Oscar Charlton was thrilled to have the chance to play alongside the Californian musician. “At first I was nervous, but he really put me at ease and was such a cool guy. He has really inspired me.” The veteran guitarist was impressed with the college, its staff and its students. “I wish there had been colleges like this when I started out,” adding, “I was glad to be invited here. I’m always happy to play with young people who appreciate real music being played by real people.”

Wright is the latest in a list of professional musicians who have visited the college, which includes Jools Holland guitarist Mark Flanagan. “We’re very lucky that the teaching staff have such good connections within the music industry that we can arrange for musicians such as Greg to come and talk about life as a working musician,” said programme leader Jo King, adding, “It’s a wonderful experience for our students that they can perform with, talk to, and most importantly, learn from people who are out there making a living from music.”