Dennis Jones

Biography

Dennis Jones is an American blues rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter born in 1958 in Monkton, Maryland. Inspired by his parents' record collection featuring B.B. King and Bobby Bland, Jones received a guitar at age 13 and began playing in local bands while still in his teenage years. After high school, he joined the military and was stationed in Germany, where he developed his musical style playing with various blues and R&B bands. He later relocated to Los Angeles, where he balanced a day job as an elevator technician with weekend performances, eventually forming the band Blackhead before transitioning to lead his own blues rock ensemble.

Jones' professional recording career began in 2003 with his debut solo album Falling Up, released on his own label, Blue Rock Records. A significant milestone came in 2004 when he won first place at the 20th International Blues Challenge as guitarist with Zac Harmon & the Mid-South Revue. Throughout his career, Jones has released eight albums, with notable releases including Passion For The Blues (2006), Pleasure & Pain (2009), Soft Hard and Loud (2020), and About Time (2024). His track "Deep Blues" from his debut album was featured in the 2006 film Sea of Fear.

Jones has established himself as a respected figure in contemporary blues music, opening for legendary artists including Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, and Dick Dale. In 2023, he received the Bobby Rush Entertainer Award for Outstanding Musicianship Performing Traditional Blues at the Jus' Blues Music Awards in Tunica, Mississippi. His eighth album About Time earned a 2025 Blues Music Award nomination for Best Blues Rock Album. Jones' musical approach seamlessly blends vintage blues-rock elements with contemporary songwriting, addressing modern social issues while maintaining deep roots in traditional blues traditions.

Fun Facts

• Jones originally asked his parents for a drum set at age 13 but received a guitar instead—a decision that shaped his entire musical career.
• He spent his late teens living and performing in Europe, particularly Germany, where he played with various blues and R&B bands before returning to the United States.
• Jones worked as an elevator technician for many years while touring part-time with his band, traveling great distances for performances, until a layoff allowed him to pursue music full-time.
• His musical influences include guitar legends Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, and Billy F. Gibbons, whose styles significantly shaped his blues-rock approach.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• B.B. King - Early influence through parents' record collection (Recordings in parents' collection) [Childhood/early teens]
• Bobby Bland - Early influence through parents' record collection (Recordings in parents' collection) [Childhood/early teens]

Key Collaborators

• Zac Harmon - Played guitar with Zac Harmon & the Mid-South Revue; won International Blues Challenge together (Live at Babe and Ricky's Inn (2002), The Blues According To Zacariah) [Early 2000s]
• Cornelius Mims - Bass player and co-producer (Soft Hard and Loud (2020))
• Brian O'Neal and the BusBoys - Played lead guitar (BusBoys performances) [2001-2003]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia