Orianthi’s Power of 3 Uses Jimi Hendrix Riff in “Taxi”
Orianthi’s Power of 3 unveiled “Taxi,” its third single, on October 30, 2026, building the track around a previously unheard Jimi Hendrix riff. The trio pairs Orianthi with drummer Cindy Blackman Santana and bassist Rhonda Smith.
A Hendrix riff powers “Taxi”
Power of 3 received access to the Hendrix archives, where Orianthi discovered the unreleased riff. She immediately began imagining how the trio could build a song around it while honoring Hendrix and creating something of its own.
The riff became the foundation of a new track developed with Eddie Kramer, the producer who worked with Hendrix and joined Power of 3 for its debut album. “Taxi” opens with city street effects before the galloping guitar riff enters. Orianthi uses a snapping, Strat style guitar sound despite being known as a PRS artist, then adds whammy bar fluctuations and her own phrases during the solo.
The trio was conceived as a tribute to Hendrix’s psychedelic blues, with Band of Gypsys as its main inspiration. Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis had encouraged Orianthi several years earlier to form a power trio based on that model. The Power of 3 project later followed two performances at Allegiant Stadium.
The album arrives December 11
The trio’s self titled debut album will be released through She2Music on December 11, 2026. Carlos Santana will make a guest appearance on the record, which also features Kramer’s production work. Preorders and presaves for the album are open.
(Via: Guitar World)
