We recently caught up with brilliant guitarist Fareed Haque to get a little more insight into his character and background.

1. What Henriksen Amp do you play and what settings do you use?
The Baby Bud! This little cutie travels with me in my suitcase, or as a carry on. Having your own tone, and even more importantly, your own FEEL and dynamic range night after night is a game changer. I use this with all my gigs, even on heavy hitting tours with Billy Cobham and Garaj Mahal. Everyone titters at my little amp until they hear it (hehehe)!

2. What instruments do you play?
I play custom electric guitars made by Brian Galloup.

3. What styles of music do you play?
Quite a few, including Jazz, Soul-jazz, Funk, Fusion, Classical, World, and Latin guitar styles.

4. What, if any, warm ups do you do before a gig?
Nothing, usually.

5. What’s the most interesting (good or bad) gig you’ve ever played? Give us the details.
Playing the Santiago (Chile) Jazz Fest as a leader, flying across the planet to play the Montreax Jazzfest with Sting, then flying back to Chicago, slipping into my tux and heading down to the Drake, where the doorman yells, “Musician?! Go around back!!”
Music keeps you humble.

6. Whats the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten at a gig?
Dallas, Texas, 1981: all you can eat fresh lobster, crab and oysters – flown in! While the newly rich Texans lined up at the rib station, leaving the lobster, crab and oyster bar completely ignored.

7. What’s your favorite place to play (country, state, venue, anywhere)?
The Green Mill, Chicago. Soulful, real, loud music fans. It’s always a party in there.

Fareed has tour dates listed through the end of September on his site (including two night at The Green Mill), as well as new recordings for sale and much more info and media. Please give it a look: https://www.fareed.com