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Jontavious Willis

@jontavious_willis

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2020 GRAMMY nominee Jontavious Willis is a international blues artist who tours worldwide showcasing his talent.

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Can’t wait to get back to Paris! by @jontavious_willis

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17 days ago

I sat down and decided to record a tune. It’s my rendition of ‘Blues in the Bottle,’ but I had Lemon, Mance, and Lightning on my mind, with a little jam at the end by @jontavious_willis

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2 days ago

Can’t wait for these upcoming shows! I hope to see some of yall there. by @jontavious_willis

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3 days ago

The first thing I ever recorded professionally was “Don’t Let the Devil Ride,” back around 2011-2012. It was two guitars, with an old friend playing the second part. I lost the CD that he burned for me, though. Before I got on social media, I was mainly playing in churches as a special guest. I couldn’t do much backing, especially on contemporary Gospel songs that needed more than what I could offer. But my favorite Blues singers all had a church background and often sang Gospel.I used to go to Atlanta and play at this church, which was a big deal for me back then. The pastor would ask me to sing the Howling Wolf song because I could do that falsetto swoop I heard Bishop Neal Roberson perform. Anyway, here’s a version I’m doing today, a song written by Oris Mays. Brother Joe May does a great version too. by @jontavious_willis

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13 days ago

Jontavious Willis played an intimate set at The Shakedown last Sunday with a set that was both timeless and personal. The Blues don’t have to be loud to fill a room. @jontavious_willis // @shakedownbham - 7/5#jontaviouswillis #takemetothecountry #theshakedownbellingham #livemusicphotography #potato 🥔 by @jontavious_willis

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15 days ago

Ethnomusicologist Pete Lowry coined the term “Piedmont Blues” in the 1960s to describe a certain type of fingerpicking. But in my opinion, many of the titles are flawed. John Hurt and Hacksaw Harney, for example, were from the Delta. Even though they were great fingerpickers, they weren’t from the Piedmont region. Conversely, Barbecue Bob and Kokomo Arnold were from the Piedmont region of Georgia, and most of their styles could be associated with Delta blues. These terms are cool guidelines, but they aren’t concrete. I’m a Piedmont player because that’s where I’m from—the Piedmont region of Georgia. Here’s a little fingerpicking ragtime situation in F. by @jontavious_willis

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16 days ago

Here’s my version of Bumblebee Slim’s “Fattening Frogs for Snakes” (1935). Slim was one of those artists who brought classic tunes up to date or added his own flair. He introduced this one to the ‘30s Chicago blues scene. You can find the first recorded version of a similarly themed song by Virginia Liston, written by Perry Bradford in 1925. I’m in D standard tuning out of the G position, which is the key of F here. I hope y’all enjoy it! Thanks! by @jontavious_willis

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17 days ago

I’m playing my Mule Mavis model through my BR9, and man, it sounds nasty! This is my first Mule, and I really like it a lot. It’s a fantastic, dirty, warm electric resonator guitar and I like that combo. by @jontavious_willis

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23 days ago

Jontavious Willis back in Europe in July/August and then December31/07: Notodden, NO - Notodden Blues Festival01/08: Notodden, NO - Notodden Blues Festival03/12: Paris, FR - New Morning04/12: Marcq-en-Baroeul, FR - Jazz en Nord05/12: St Germain en Laye, FR - La Clef 07/12: Zürich, CH - El Lokal08/12: Savona, IT - Raindogs12/12: Vienna, AT - Blues Fever Festival by @jontavious_willis

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25 days ago

Big thanks to Matt @muleresonatorguitars , for sending me this beautiful instrument. Can’t wait to plug it up. by @jontavious_willis

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a month ago

When my cup runneth over, I drink it all up and play slide until I get a refill. 😂Here’s me playing the old folk tune John Henry the other night in Utrecht, NL at TivoliVredenburg.My European tour has officially wrapped up, till next time. by @jontavious_willis

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a month ago

If you didn’t know, I love teaching it’s been my thing for a min now. If you want to learn some blues from me and these other awesome artists, sign up! @crossroadbluescamp.org by @jontavious_willis

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a month ago