Jim Ambrose
Jim Ambrose learned to play some basic blues on the guitar while attending college in Worcester, Massachusetts in the late 80’s. He served a 4 year stint in the Marines after graduation (which included service in the Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm), but he continued to practice and develop as a guitarist and vocalist. He returned to Massachusetts in 1993 and began performing in various blues bands in the greater Boston area. Since then, Jim has performed in dozens of live music venues throughout New England, most notably the original House of Blues in Harvard Square, Harper’s Ferry in Brighton, and Joe’s Yardrock in Quincy.
Jim’s biggest musical influence is John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame. Like Fogerty, his guitar playing is economic, but tasteful. His vocal delivery is raw and gritty, and the music he performs with the Swamptones is filled rhythm Besides Fogerty, Jim also draws from great blues and soul vocalists like Howlin’ Wolf, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. Other guitar influences include George Thorogood and Keith Richards, both students of the ‘less is more’ school of note selection.