| Dennis Jones | |
| Birth Place: | Monkton, Maryland, United States |
| Instrument: | Vocals, guitar |
| Genre: | Blues rock |
| Occupation: | Singer, guitarist, songwriter |
| Years Active: | 1980s–present |
| Label: | Blue Rock Records |
| Website: | http://www.dennisjonescentral.com |
Dennis Jones (born 1958) is an American blues rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He has released eight albums since 2003. Jones has opened for shows by Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy and Dick Dale.
He was born in Monkton, Maryland, United States. Inspired by his parents record collection which included recordings by B.B. King and Bobby Bland, Jones asked if he could have a set of drums, but his parents reticence led to him getting a guitar instead for Christmas when he was 13 years old. While still in his teenage years, Jones played in a number of local bands, and commenced his love in writing songs. Following his graduation from high school, his parents organized a party at their home and his band performed. By the age of 18, and with a feeling for adventure, Jones join the military, where he was stationed in Germany. He married, relocated back to Baltimore County, before moving on again to Los Angeles. Jones secured a day job and played his music at the weekend, although his marriage fell apart after ten years. Jones formed one of his earliest bands in Los Angeles named Blackhead. He stated "It was a cross between Funkadelic, Aerosmith and Zeppelin and all original material. I had a lead singer that was very soulful. It was just a bunch of brothers playing alternative (music) that was not expected by anyone at the time". When they parted company, Jones decided to attempt heading up a band playing blues rock.[1] He continued to play music throughout the 1990s, and played lead guitar with the BusBoys in the early 2000s.
Jones also played guitar with Zac Harmon, billed as Zac Harmon & the Mid-South Revue, and Jones played on their live album, Live at Babe and Ricky's Inn (2002). In 2004, the ensemble won first place at the 20th International Blues Challenge. However, Jones and Harmon started having scheduling clashes over their respective band's availability, and Harmon sought a replacement for Jones. Jones then performed on the Pacific Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruises. His debut solo album was Falling Up (2003), which was issued on his own record label, Blue Rock Records.[2] The track "Deep Blues" from Falling Up, was featured on the soundtrack to the 2006 film, Sea of Fear. Passion For The Blues (2006), was his next album release.[3] His 2009, Pleasure & Pain, album garnered a review who stated "Pulling in elements of vintage and gritty blues-rock... Jones gets it right more times than not throughout".[4]
My Kinda Blues, Jones's fourth solo album,[5] was issued in 2012 and featured guest appearances from Kenny Neal, and Guitar Shorty.[6] 2016 saw the release of, Both Sides of the Track, which included Etta James saxophonist Jimmy Zavala.[7] In 2018, Jones and his band recorded the live album WE3, which showcased some of his favorite songs from his prior releases.
Upon his returning from one of his European tours, Jones started the song writing process for his seventh album, Soft Hard and Loud. The title referenced the dynamic range of Jones trio.[8] It was released on October 16, 2020, and included all original material, and shared production duties with his bass player Cornelius Mims. On August 3, 2023, Jones attended the Jus Blues Awards in Tunica, Mississippi, where he received the Bobby Rush Entertainer Award for his Outstanding Musicianship, Performing Traditional Blues.[9] In June 2024, Jones released his eighth album, About Time. Jones continues to tour and perform in the US, Canada and Europe.
| Year | Title | Record label | Additional credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Falling Up | Blue Rock Records | |
| 2006 | Passion for the Blues | Blue Rock Records | |
| 2009 | Pleasure & Pain | Blue Rock Records | |
| 2012 | My Kinda Blues | Blue Rock Records | |
| 2016 | Both Sides of the Track | Blue Rock Records | |
| 2018 | WE3 (live album) | Blue Rock Records | Dennis Jones Band |
| 2020 | Soft Hard and Loud | Blue Rock Records | |
| 2024 | About Time | Blue Rock Records | |