Chicago-born guitarist Jean-Paul Bourelly is one hell of an experience live. Swaying around the stage with his dominating build between heavy guitar-pick solos and crazed bluesy melodies, his hollering husky voice adds layers of richness to his searching guitar melodies. This man can glide with ease between improv jazz and deep and dirty blues, and before you’ve had a chance to catch your breath he launches into a funky afrobeat rhythm.

At his most hypnotizing, he’s lost in a guitar solo, eyes closed, scatting to the melody with husky scream interludes. Bourelly lived in New York from 1979, where he worked with Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes and McCoy Turner, releasing his first solo album ‘Jungle Cowboy’ in 1987, and shortly afterwards played with Miles Davis. Later on Bourelly moved into rock music, playing with Black Rock Coalition, Buddy Miles and Robin Trower. Bourelly is now based in Berlin where he formed Boom Bop after meeting poet and singer Abdourahmane Diop. In Berlin, Bourelly has explored the world of curating, producing and performing, and developed several projects based on African Diaspora.

Whether knocking out a Jimi Hendrix, launching through Miles or playing his own, crazed original songs, every song is full of gritty soul. Don’t miss his final performance tonight at Mojo Jazz Club.