At the age of 16, British blues guitarist and singer Joanne Shaw Taylor was first “discovered” by Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics. Over the years, this talented artist, who is now in her 30s, has earned critical acclaim as one of rock’s most sought-after guitarists, releasing eight albums showcasing her songwriting talent, soulful voice and red-hot guitar riffs.

Taylor will take the stage at District Live at Plant Riverside District on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m., performing sizzling blues from her storied career. Two of her latest albums-which were produced by legendary guitarist Joe Bonamassa-hit #1 on the Billboard Blues charts.

Taylor recently spoke with Connect Savannah about her musical journey, her life-changing friendship with Bonamassa and her growing passion for performing live.

How did you first get started playing guitar in England?

My father and older brother both played guitar. I grew up in a musical household and was always fascinated with it from a young age. When I was 8, they offered classical guitar lessons at my school, so I jumped at the opportunity.

I’m so grateful to do what I do. I essentially get paid to express myself and tour the world. I’ve worked hard to get here but there are so many wonderful people who’ve supported me and helped me be successful and, more importantly, happy.

Have you ever been to Savannah before?

I’ve never been to Savannah before, so I’m very excited to visit and be able to perform there. It’s been on my bucket list for a while. It has a great history so I’m really looking forward to being able to explore for a few hours before the show and sample some great food. I’m excited to be coming to Savannah finally. It’s going to be a great show!

Joe Bonamassa is a huge fan of your music. What do you enjoy most about working with him?

Joe has been my best friend for well over 10 years. Obviously, I massively respect his talent and work effort, and I’m incredibly proud of his success. That said, I love working with him because we’re so close. I’m working with my closest friend. He’s somebody who knows me not just as a musician, but also as a person, faults and all.

That’s a really special connection to have when it comes to him producing my music. He knows what my strengths and weaknesses are, he knows who I am and what is right for me and what’s not. Most importantly, there’s a massive level of trust between the two of us, which is crucial when you’re handing your songs over to a producer.

Any advice to share with aspiring musicians?

Work hard, be true to yourself and don’t make music that doesn’t feel true to you. Surround yourself with good people.

You’ve always been passionate about performing live. What do you love about playing in front of a live audience?

My love for live performance has changed a lot after Covid. I always enjoyed playing, but after Covid and realizing live music may never come back, I really started to appreciate not only being able to play, but the audience.

I’ve worked very hard for years on my craft and the fact that equally hard-working people trust me with their time and money is a gift. I love that I get to travel the world and meet new people, play them my songs, tell them a little about myself and hopefully bring them joy.

Joanne Shaw Taylor will perform at District Live at Plant Riverside District, 400 W. River St., on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at plantriverside.com.

This article appears in Connect Savannah | October, 2023.