I never wanted to be a star, just a highly respected musician like John Etheridge

Sting (in a Guardian interview)

One of the best guitarists in the world

Pat Metheny

John Etheridge has been at the top of the jazz and contemporary guitar world for 30 years. His career has covered a huge range of musical territory combining powerful improvising technique, a feel for idiom and an individual concept, which makes his output eclectic but highly personal.

The music press first touted Etheridge in the early 70s while he was playing with a number of early fusion bands. In 1975 he was offered the chance to replace Allan Holdsworth in the legendary jazz-fusion group Soft Machine.

International touring and recording followed until the band's demise at the end of the 70s. More or less simultaneously (starting in 1976) Etheridge joined the touring group of the celebrated jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli. For a number of years these two commitments ran parallel – revealing the broad range of his abilities.

Etheridge left Grappelli's quartet in the early 80s. For the last twenty years he has pursued a career involving associations with many of the great players of the jazz world. Either in single concerts, touring or recording he has appeared with - Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Mundell Lowe, Birelli Lagrene, Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Williams, Yehudi Menuhin, Pat Metheny, Andy Summers and Nigel Kennedy.

In addition to his solo engagements Etheridge also fronts the quartet 'Sweet Chorus' dedicated to Stephane Grappelli. Co-leads the 8-piece group Zappatistas (performing the music of Frank Zappa). Part of a new trio with classical guitarist John Williams and African drummer Patrick Bebey. 2005/6 John is performing with John Marshall, Hugh Hopper and Theo Travis in the 'Soft Machine Legacy'.