Most people associate traditional blues music with the South — the Southern part of the United States, that is, not the South Bay. Then again, most people haven’t met Christoffer “Kid” Andersen.
The Norwegian-born guitarist and producer is a San Jose institution, having produced more than 100 records at his Greaseland Studios. Andersen first picked up an electric guitar at age 11, and quickly fell in love with the sounds of T-Bone Walker, Howlin’ Wolf, and other masters.
At age 21, Andersen moved to California to be a working guitarist; a decade and a half later, records he’s played on and produced have been nominated for more Blues Music Awards than you can count on two hands. (At this year’s ceremony, on May 11, he’s up for eight awards, including Best Instrumentalist – Guitar for the fourth year in a row.)
KQED Arts visited Andersen’s studio, which houses roughly 70 guitars, to hear more.
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