Hornby Island Blues Workshop



JW-Jones - Guitar

jw-jones.com

Instructing for the third time at Hornby, JW-Jones’ latest release ‘High Temperature’ was named the ‘Hot Shot Debut’ on the Billboard Top 10, and won the 2017 International Blues Challenge (via Blues Foundation in Memphis) for 'Best Self Produced CD'. The new album is nominated for a Maple Blues Award (ceremony in Jan 2018), and is the follow-up to the JUNO Award nominated ‘Belmont Boulevard’. From the liner notes: “Acclaimed Nashville producer Colin Linden takes Jones into new territory with warm, analog-driven tones, and a wide-range of material. His evolution as a musician and vocalist shine through on this record like never before. Real songs, real playing by real people, and JW is the real deal.” - Chuck Leavell [The Rolling Stones]

In 2016, Jones was requested directly by George Thorogood & The Destroyers’ management to open for several of their spring tour dates, including Massey Hall in Toronto. The band received a standing ovation at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. 

The same year, Jones toured the UK for the first time, creating a buzz that resulted in rave reviews and glowing endorsements from the band Vintage Trouble. JW plays over 100 high-energy shows per year, and during the last few years, has been invited six times to perform alongside Buddy Guy, and twice with Woodstock legends Canned Heat.  

Guitar World Magazine featured a CD called ‘Guitar Masters Vol. 2’ that put Jones alongside guitar stars B.B. King, Jimmy Page, and Carlos Santana among others, which led him to an endorsement deal with Gibson guitars. Hollywood actor Dan Aykroyd, known for his Blues Brothers persona “Elwood Blues”, says "this is an amazing blues band.”  

Jones has now toured in twenty-three countries and four continents and has support from blues royalty: Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Cray, and the late Johnny Winter. In May 2017, Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers made a guest appearance with JW and the band in Edmonton, and the future continues to looks promising for this rising star! Now, with his latest recording, he’s excited about reaching an even wider audience. 

JW’s discography features legendary guests Hubert Sumlin (Howling’ Wolf), David “Fathead” Newman (Ray Charles), Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds), Charlie Musselwhite, Little Charlie Baty, Junior Watson, Reese Wynans (Stevie Ray Vaughan), and Canadian billboard favourite Colin James. He’s recorded in Nashville, Los Angeles, and Memphis.

The musicians that tour with Jones; Will Laurin (drums) and 2018 Maple Blues Award nominated bassist, Laura Greenberg (ceremony Jan 2018), add a powerful energy to the stage. Charlie Musselwhite says "JW is one of the best guitar players I've heard in a long time."

In the last few years, JW co-hosted the Maple Blues Awards in Toronto, toured the US opening for Johnny Winter playing sold-out shows, opened for Jimmie Vaughan, wowed the Doheny Blues Festival in California, played the Big Blues Bender in Las Vegas, and won the prestigious Forty Under 40 Award by Ottawa Business Journal/Chamber of Commerce. His last few CDs have hit #1 on B.B. King’s Bluesville on Sirius-XM Radio in the U.S.A., and Jones continues to win over audiences (up to 40,000) across the globe with his incredible live performances.  

Connect on social media - @jwjonesblues


2018 Instructors