Introduction
Jeffrey Wootton (born 12 May 1987) is an English guitarist and songwriter from Manchester. He released his debut solo album, The Way the Light on 26 Feb 2016, featuring a unique collaboration with British artist Damien Hirst.
He has played lead guitar with Damon Albarn in Gorillaz alongside Mick Jones and Paul Simonon of The Clash and played lead guitar with Damon Albarn on his solo project.
He has also collaborated with Brian Eno, Massive Attack, Nick Zinner, Noel Gallagher, Liam Gallagher and Damo Suzuki from Can.
In 2013 Wootton joined Damon Albarn, Brian Eno, Nick Zinner and several other musicians and producers on a trip to Mali, in West Africa to record an album as part of Africa Express.
On 24 November 2014, Jeff along with composer Andre de Ridder, Nick Zinner, Brian Eno and Damon Albarn released a 41-minute African version of Terry Riley's iconic 1964 minimalist piece In C with local Mali musicians through Transgressive Records. It was featured in Rolling Stone's '20 Best Avant Albums of 2014'They premiered it live at the Tate Modern in London.
In January 2016 he contributed Guitar's on Massive Attack's Ritual Spirit featuring Roots Manuva and Young Fathers.
Musical career
Wootton joined Gorillaz as their lead guitarist in 2010. Gorillaz kicked off their first ever world tour to rave reviews with performances including headlining Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Glastonbury and Roskilde with guest performances by Lou Reed, Mos Def, Bobby Womack, Mark E. Smith, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Snoop Dogg, De La Soul and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. They were the first British band to play a gig in Damascus, Syria
After the departure of Noel Gallagher of Oasis, At the age of 22, Wootton was recruited by Liam Gallagher to play in Beady Eye. He joined them on stage for the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, performing "Wonderwall" with the band. In 2013 after a world tour and playing on their second album BE, he left to pursue his own musical project.
Wootton performed with Damon Albarn again in early 2013 as Electric Wave Bureau at Hackney Picturehouse.
In 2013 Wootton made a trip to Bamako, Mali in West Africa with Damon Albarn, Brian Eno, Nick Zinner and other musicians to record an album as part of Africa Express collective. Maison Des Jeunes was released on 9 December 2013.
In 2014 he joined Damon Albarn in The Heavy Seas. On 15–16 November 2014, Damon Albarn & The Heavy Seas' performances at The Royal Albert Hall were recorded to be edited into a live album. The project was released as a two-disc album called Live at the De De De Der.
In 2015 he appeared in Noel Gallagher's music video Ballad of the Mighty I which was released on 12 January 2015, and joined him for a TV performance of the song Riverman on the Channel 4 programme Chatty Man.
Solo career
The Way the Light (2016)
In June 2015 Jeff supported the British rock band Blur at three dates including Glasgow Barrowland’s and Blackpool Empress Ballroom.
In July 2015 he premiered his first track 'The Eternal' through The FADER magazine, it became Q Magazine’s Track of the Day and one of NME’S top 20 tracks you need to hear.
Wootton’s first single ‘The Eternal’ was officially released on Nov 6th 2015
On Dec 2nd 2015 Lauren Laverne from BBC Radio 6 Music premiered a new track entitled The Eternal [Reconstruction] Feat. Nick Zinner from Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Bootie Brown of The Pharcyde.
On Jan 26th 2016 Vice (magazine) premiered a new track Sonik Drips and announced a collaboration with British artist Damien Hirst. Hirst revealed he has created 10 pieces of original art for Wootton's album for a Limited Edition Vinyl.
In March 2016 he supported The Last Shadow Puppets on Tour.
He supported Kasabian for two nights at King Power Stadium following Leicester City's triumphant Premier League Football Championship.
In Sept 2016 Jeff was chosen by Noel Gallagher to be his support act for the end of his tour show at Brixton Academy.
The Way the Light was released in Japan on October 5 for the only time on CD through Sympathy For Vinyl / Beatnik Records.
He started the website Sympathy For Vinyl as a platform to release his more experimental compositions and collaborations.