Jim Mullen (born 26 November 1945) is a Glasgow-born jazz guitarist with a distinctive style, like Wes Montgomery before him, picking with the thumb rather than a plectrum.[1]
Jim Mullen was guitarist with Pete Brown & Piblokto! for two albums in 1970. He then played with Brian Auger's Oblivion Express,[2] appearing on the band's first three albums together with future Average White Band drummer Robbie McIntosh, Mullen then joined Kokomo and later toured with the Average White Band.
It was while both musicians were touring the United States with AWB in the mid-70s that Mullen met tenor saxophone player Dick Morrissey, and throughout the 1980s, he found critical notice as joint leader of the British jazz funk band Morrissey–Mullen.[2] Record producer Richard Niles, who produced the band's sixth album, It's About Time, later produced three solo albums for Mullen.[3]
Mullen has also played and recorded with, among others, Mose Allison, Hamish Stuart, Joanna Eden, Tam White, Claire Martin, Mike Carr, Jimmy Witherspoon, Dave O'Higgins and Georgie Fame, Sinan Alimanović, , Jimmy Smith, Terry Callier and Frank Holder. Mullen has recorded as part of , a collective of session musicians on their Paul McCartney-produced album All About the Music, alongside special guests Jocelyn Brown, Hamish Stuart and Angelo Starr. In 2014, he featured prominently on the Citrus Sun album, 'People of Tomorrow', produced by Incognito co-founder, Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick.
Mullen has won many British music awards including "Best Guitar" in the British Telecom Jazz Awards (1994, 1996 and 2000).
“If you like your music bluesy, soulful and funky and played by a group of extraordinarily talented musicians get yourself down to the Half Moon for one of Kokomo’s residencies or catch them on the road. You will only regret it if you don’t.”
Replay of the live stream of the whole Kokomo show from the Half Moon, February 2019.
Thanks to Pete Lawrence for his review of the show at the Stables. “At The Stables there gig was a joyous celebration of all things soulful and funky. Absolute highlight …
These two gigs were pulled together at short notice but got a good turnout nonetheless. The best news was that Jim is back, and was on top form. However, Paddie …
Rise & Shine and What’s the Fuss from the Wednesday night. More to come!
A few numbers from the first of two great nights at the Half Moon, October 2016
