“I miss mistakes! A lot (but not all) of music nowadays is totally devoid of mistakes.  Digital recording definitely affords the opportunity to fix mistakes, and I think this is often taken advantage of in the pop market. Technology has also afforded us access to a lot of music, so I’m not generalizing all music from the present as being one thing or another.”

Jad Tariq: Let The Good (Old) Times Roll

Jad Tariq, a Memphis-based R&B guitarist/vocalist, is making waves in the national music scene. Primarily performing in the jump blues idiom, his guitar style exhibits a swinging jazz rhythm, merging seamlessly with the raw emotional intensity of the blues. His vocal style is in the tradition of the blues shouters of the ‘40s & ‘50s while also boasting the ability to croon heartfelt ballads. Jad Tariq’s debut album titled “Jad Tariq Sings” (2025 / MoMojo Records) leads his swinging Memphis band through 8 exciting tunes, comprised of 5 original compositions and 3 classics of years past. “Jad Tariq Sings” is an impressive debut from this multi-talented guitarist, singer, songwriter and bandleader. The 28-year-old Tariq dips deftly into the deep well of classic blues, jazz and R&B and comes out swinging as he filters these classic sounds though his own musical sensibilities. Tariq started his professional life early, playing his first gigs as a 12-year-old. After high school, Tariq came to Memphis to attend Rhodes College, where he studied business, though his focus was more on the Bluff City’s rich musical history.

(Jad Tariq / Photo by Logan Schall)

As a senior at Rhodes, Tariq began turning up at gigs by Memphis musician and Blues Music Award-winning singer John Németh, who eventually let him sit in with the band. Tariq has made a formidable career backing some of the country’s favorite blues acts, and now he debuts as a bandleader on this fine recording. Tariq’s songwriting effortlessly blends genres, with touches of swing jazz, slick rhythm & blues, and soul music. Jad Tariq Sings is sure to become a mainstay on your turntable, in your car, or wherever you find your music!

Interview by Michael Limnios       Special Thanks: Sallie Bengtson (MoMojo Records)

How has the music influenced your views of the world? 

Music has afforded me the opportunity to travel a lot, and in that way it has influenced my life drastically. I’ve met many different people on the road, from many different cultures and backgrounds. The primary thing I’ve learned from travelling is that most people want the same things- love, to share a laugh with friends, safety, happiness and health for their family, etc. I think all people are more similar than they are different in that sense.

What music moment changed your life the most?

As funny as it is, I picked up guitar when I saw a video of the rock band KISS. I was playing a Tony Hawk’s skateboarding video game where you could unlock Gene Simmons as a character, and then it played a live video of KISS. As an 8 year old, this was the coolest thing I’d ever seen and heard! I fell in love with the music, and that was the reason I started playing guitar. I often cite the In Sessions video of Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan as the moment in my life that I fell in love with the blues, but that video of KISS was the moment I fell in love with the electric guitar! I’d have to say this is the music moment that changed my life the most, as silly and humorous as it is, because it set me on the path of being a lifelong musician.              (Jad Tariq / Photo by Logan Schall)

”I don’t have many fears for the future of this music, it seems that there are a lot of people around my age who are still playing traditional blues/roots music, and doing it really well! I just hope to be a part of that, to really honor the heroes of the past, but also to impart my own personality on the music that I make.”

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? Where does your creative drive come from?

I would describe my music as Rhythm & Blues. I know that the genre title Rhythm & Blues has changed and evolved through the years, but I’m particularly interested in the Rhythm & Blues sound of the 1950’s. There are so many influences in that era, jazz/swing, country, gospel, I love the blend of styles that many of those artists had.  One of the aspects of that music that I love is how relatable it feels. The stories and sounds all feel timeless, and they can speak to almost anyone. This is certainly where my creative drive comes from; the desire to make music that can speak to anyone. Especially when I’m writing songs, I try to be conscious of not getting too contrived, keeping the music simple and understandable. It’s the same thing with playing an instrument, even if you’re presenting a complicated idea, I think it’s real slick when you can do it in a way that is palatable or easily understood. 

Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?!

I wouldn’t pinpoint this as a specific moment, but more-so just being around a lot of fantastic artists in Memphis and getting to develop, and learn from/with them. There are a lot of blues musicians around here from the older generation who really have helped us younger guys along. Guys like John Nemeth, Tony Holiday, Earl the Pearl… there are so many people in this town that are willing to help younger guys learn and get their careers going. I think this is one of the really special things about this town. There’s a lot of young players here that I get to perform, write, and record with often: Wyly Bigger, Benton Parker, and Jon Hay, to name a few. There’s a great collaborative energy here that we all share, and I’m very appreciative for it.

 ”I’ve learned to listen! I think listening will always be one of the most important qualities of a good musician.. And of a good person! I am certainly not done learning this.” (Jad Tariq / Photo by Logan Schall)

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I miss mistakes! A lot (but not all) of music nowadays is totally devoid of mistakes.  Digital recording definitely affords the opportunity to fix mistakes, and I think this is often taken advantage of in the pop market. Technology has also afforded us access to a lot of music, so I’m not generalizing all music from the present as being one thing or another. A lot of my favorite music of the past has mistakes that really add a human element to the sound. I appreciate a lot of the modern artists who retain a feeling of rawness to their music. 

I don’t have many fears for the future of this music, it seems that there are a lot of people around my age who are still playing traditional blues/roots music, and doing it really well! I just hope to be a part of that, to really honor the heroes of the past, but also to impart my own personality on the music that I make.  

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

I’ve learned to listen! I think listening will always be one of the most important qualities of a good musician.. And of a good person! I am certainly not done learning this.    

What's the balance in music between technique and soul/emotions? What is the role of music in today’s society?

Technique is important as it gives you the tools to express your emotions effectively on an instrument. As long as a musician has enough technique to express themselves in the way that they want, then that is plenty! In that sense, technique is really a means to an end. However, I do think it’s important to develop facility on an instrument because you never want to be stuck in a moment where you hear something in your head but don’t possess the ability to play the idea you are hearing. I think as long as there is a level of taste or restraint, then no amount of technique can ever hurt. 

”Music has afforded me the opportunity to travel a lot, and in that way it has influenced my life drastically. I’ve met many different people on the road, from many different cultures and backgrounds. The primary thing I’ve learned from travelling is that most people want the same things- love, to share a laugh with friends, safety, happiness and health for their family, etc. I think all people are more similar than they are different in that sense. (Jad Tariq / Photo by Logan Schall)

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

I certainly do enjoy that old-school sound and approach, but I’m trying my best to develop my own identity and style. Of course we all learn by imitating our heroes, and I’m still finding my own voice in this genre. In terms of keeping the music relevant I think all I can do is sing and write songs that come from my own experience. People often give the advice “write what you know” and I think this is true. I think as long as you’re speaking from your experience, the music will always be relatable to any generation. It’s easy to fall into tropes, or clichés in this genre, so I do try to be conscious of avoiding low hanging fruit in that way. Although some amount of cliché can be fun too, it’s a balance.  

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really want to go for a whole day?

I would have loved to see the Memphis music scene back in the day. To be able to see live appearances of BB King, Bobby Bland, Junior Parker, Rosco Gordon, Johnny Ace, etc. would be a dream. Memphis music has always been a huge passion of mine, from Sun, to STAX and Royal, so much of the music I grew up on came from this city. I think it’s truly some of the best music ever made.

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(Jad Tariq / Photo by Logan Schall)