Hendrix's Warmth in the Frozen North

When I was 12 years old, my family and I landed in the deep, cold winter of Canada. It was a world away from everything I knew, but it was also where I had my first encounter with something that would change my life: music. One of the first artists I was exposed to was Jimi Hendrix, and that experience opened my eyes to the explosive possibilities of sound. I knew Hendrix before I knew English  

Hendrix wasn’t just a musician; he was a force of nature. Widely recognized as one of the most creative and influential musicians of the 20th century, he pioneered a new musical form with his innovative style of combining fuzz, feedback, and controlled distortion. It’s nothing short of remarkable that Hendrix, who couldn’t read or write music, became a legend in just four short years. 

Born Johnny Allen Hendrix in 1942 and later renamed James Marshall by his father, Jimi drew influence from blues greats like B.B. King and Muddy Waters. Entirely self-taught, his inability to read music made him focus intensely on what he heard, transforming those sounds into something wholly unique. From strumming a broom as a makeshift guitar to forming The Jimi Hendrix Experience, his journey was a testament to his raw talent and relentless drive.

 Jimi’s meteoric rise in the music world began in London in the mid-1960s. His debut album, Are You Experienced remains one of the most iconic rock albums of all time, featuring tracks that defined a generation, like "Purple Haze" and "The Wind Cries Mary." But it wasn’t just his music that captivated audiences—it was the way he played, the way he moved, the way he lived. Hendrix was electric, both literally and figuratively. He also  had the audacity to play his country’s national anthem, and a controversial discussion ensued.

His influence didn’t stop with his death in 1970; it only grew. From George Clinton to Miles Davis, countless musicians have drawn inspiration from Hendrix’s innovative approach to the guitar. His work embraced a range of styles—blues, rock, R&B, and jazz—creating a musical language that continues to speak to new generations.

Here’s Brazilian guitar virtuoso Larissa Liveir playing a Hendrix standard  

In the icy grip of that Canadian winter, listening to Hendrix was like discovering a fire that refused to be tamed. He showed me that music could be more than just notes on a page; it could be an explosion of creativity, a powerful force that defied convention and shattered expectations. Hendrix didn’t just play the guitar—he reinvented it, and in doing so, he reinvented what music could be.

My personal favorite is Little Wing and that’s why I place it at the top of this post.

Hendrix playlist.