John Rutherford is a singer/songwriter based in Calgary Alberta. His work, laced with the tonality, phrasing and spirit of the blues, reflects a strong blues influence and a long standing presence on the western Canadian roots and blues scene. While acknowledging his blues background Rutherford fuses rock, jazz, folk, roots music and singer/songwriter traditions creating music that is distinctly his own, transcending blues categorization.

Early exposure to blues music, lessons in blues guitar and attending countless concerts growing up in Toronto spawned a lifelong fascination with vintage guitars, radio, blues history, pop culture, old records and the people and stories that opened his ears to a mysterious and magical world of music. Moving to Calgary Rutherford emerged as a “King Eddy brat” during the late eighties heyday of the heralded east end blues haunt The King Edward Hotel. As a founding member of the local blues band The Hoodoo Sons (eventually to become the King Eddy house band) Rutherford played with and learned from many of the great legends.

In more recent years the guitarist/singer/songwriter has championed several roots music projects touring and recording with many of the best roots and blues players in western Canada including the acoustic duo No Guff with guitarist Dan Tapanila and the all-star roots collective Highwater Jug Band with Tim Williams, Suitcase James, Mark Sadlier-Brown and Cedric Blary. Rutherford has also been a regular featured artist with the Edmonton based Front Porch Roots Revue and has recorded and toured extensively with upright bassist and singer/songwriter Ronnie Hayward.