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“Magical' rings as insufficient when looms the real article. Jinx proffers alacritous dexterity and excruciating elegance, integrating rockin' with country with jazz with blues. May shame you into selling your own guitar.”
David Larson, Rockabilly Magazine, July, 2007
“Jinx Jones and his trio serve up fine examples of American Music, all with Jinx playing the living hell out of the guitar.”
John Heidt, Vintage Guitar Magazine, June, 2007
“A wonderful recording that is a pure, heartfelt 6-String celebration.”
Darren Fox, Guitar Player Magazine, June, 2007
In Jinx Jones’ impressive musical career he has visited nearly every conceivable style and genre of the electric guitar. From his work with R&B divas, En Vogue to his own acclaimed rockabilly albums, “License to Twang,” and the latest release; “Rumble & Twang,” Jones has always strived to expand the possibilities of the instrument. He accepts every musical challenge head on, always making an impressive statement with his music. The one thing that remains consistent throughout Jones’ multi-stylistic journey is the grace and finesse of his virtuoso playing.
“One thing that really sets Jinx Jones apart is his obvious knowledge and love of jazz and chords. Almost all of the solos feature a section that’s a trip through chord-city. By the time the single notes start to fly, you’re really impressed by his know-how.”
--Vintage Guitar Magazine, August, 2001
“San Francisco’s Jinx Jones’ knack for stellar guitar is both a feast for tone aficionados a lovely stroll down memory lane.”
--Guitar Player Magazine, March, 2001
Jinx Jones honed his musical skills on the burgeoning Denver original music scene of the 1970’s and 1980’s. With brief stints in both Los Angeles and Houston, Jones’ studied music in concert halls, nightclubs, and theaters throughout the United States.
“Jinx Jones was probably the most acclaimed guitarist to come out of Denver. He is best known locally as lead man in Jinx Jones and Friends and in The Tel Rays. I personally watched him play many times from 1983 onward and watched while members of the famed group "The Pretenders" joined Jones onstage at the Turnverein (German House) in the mid 1980s while Chrissie Hynde observed from a chair.”
--Colorado Arts and Entertainment, December, 1997
“Jinx plays guitar like most people run for their lives. He is the ultimate air guitarist with the real item.”
--Rocky Mountain Hi-Note, November, 1981
Jinx has led his own bands with significant success in both Colorado and California. His first showcase band was Jinx Jones and the Jaguars, who in the early 1980’s had several records on regular rotation airplay in the Denver market. The band relocated to Los Angeles where they were immediately noticed by the musical press.
“Jinx Jones has some exceptionally fast, clean licks and he even pulls a few of the cliched guitar tricks like playing behind his head and with his teeth.”
--LA Music Connection, February, 1982
Jinx also founded the popular band the Tel Rays in Los Angeles in 1982 that went on to tour with the Romantics and Willie DeVille. The Tel Rays played dates throughout the western United States receiving wide-spread acclaim.
“Jinx Jones is one of the most popular performers on the Denver rock scene, a chameleonic guitarist who can toss off any number of musical styles.”
--the Denver Post, Weekend, November, 1985
In the mid 1980’s Jinx formed Jinx Jones and Friends, which became the most popular attraction in the Denver area through the end of the decade.
“If I’ve ever seen a super-star-in-the-making, Jinx is the man for the job.”
--Westword Octobe,r 1984
“Jinx is the best. To disagree is to say that you’ve never seen him perform. He is, by far, one of the most gifted players in the city.”
--Front Row, October, 1985
Another dimension of Jinx Jones’ music is his impressive songwriting. Winning several songwriters’ awards, Jones’ continues to write songs that explore unknown territory, while telling a story that can reach out and touch every listener.
Jinx is too restrained a player to be a Jimi clone. He also plays some nasty-funk influenced guitar.”
--Guitar World, January, 1993
During the 1990’s Jones performed with many groups in the San Francisco bay area, where he currently lives. He explored rockabilly and American roots music with the Bachelors, and also formed his own jazz trio that currently performs many of the jazz clubs in San Francisco.
“Gifted with a good swing feel, the eclectic Jinx Jones spices up Rock, Jazz, R&B and Rockabilly arrangements with chromatic surprises…his sophisticated phrasing suggests good things to come.”
--Guitar Player Magazine, May, 1993
In 2001, Jinx Jones released his first solo CD, “License to Twang” which received stellar reviews from national magazines such as Guitar Player, Vintage Guitar, and Blue Suede News. He has appeared on National Public Radio and remains a popular attraction in the California market.
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In 2007, Jinx Jones released the long awaited “Rumble & Twang,” receiving great acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. On this second effort as a solo artist, Jones expands his musical vocabulary, covering the spectrum of American twang guitar with great panache and taste.
“The CD is a tour de force instrumental that has Jinx mixing single-line work, great chordal soloing, and low-string twanging into a rowdy rockabilly treat. And Jinx shows throughout the album that he can do more than just spit old licks back at you.”
- Vintage Guitar magazine
“The breakout star here is Jones’ guitarwork. Honky tonk-twanged expressiveness and riotous rockabilly exclamations are freely integrated with flurries of jazz-inflected phrasings, claiming center stage on every winning cut.”
- Rockabilly Magazine |
Early Years in Denver
“Jinx Jones was probably the most acclaimed guitarist to come out of "Cow Town." He is best known locally as lead man in Jinx Jones and Friends and in The Tel Rays. I personally watched him play many times from 1983 onward and watched while members of the famed group "The Pretenders" joined Jones onstage at the Turnverein (German House) in the mid 1980s while Chrissie Hynde observed from a chair.”
--Colorado Arts and Entertainment, December, 1997
Jinx Jones honed his musical skills on the burgeoning Denver original music scene of the 1970’s and 1980’s. With brief stints in both Los Angeles and Houston, Jones’ studied music in concert halls, nightclubs, and theaters throughout the United States.
“Jinx plays guitar like most people run for their lives. He is the ultimate air guitarist with the real item.”
--Rocky Mountain Hi-Note, November, 1981
Jinx has led his own bands with significant success in both Colorado and California. His first showcase band was Jinx Jones and the Jaguars, who in the early 1980’s had several records on regular rotation airplay in the Denver market. The band relocated to Los Angeles where they were immediately noticed by the musical press.
“Jinx Jones has some exceptionally fast, clean licks and he even pulls a few of the cliched guitar tricks like playing behind his head and with his teeth.”
--LA Music Connection, February, 1982
Jinx also founded the popular band the Tel Rays in Los Angeles in 1982 that went on to tour with the Romantics and Willie DeVille. The Tel Rays played dates throughout the western United States receiving wide-spread acclaim.
“Jinx Jones is one of the most popular performers on the Denver rock scene, a chameleonic guitarist who can toss off any number of musical styles.”
--the Denver Post, Weekend, November, 1985
In the mid 1980’s Jinx formed Jinx Jones and Friends, which became the most popular attraction in the Denver area through the end of the decade.
“If I’ve ever seen a super-star-in-the-making, Jinx is the man for the job.”
--Westword Octobe,r 1984
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| “Jones has played with Chuck Berry on several previous occasions, so he wasn’t at all surprised by the star’s eccentric ways. ‘KBDI has been getting calls all day from people who thought I was too rough on Chuck,’ Jones mused backstage, referring to comments that had been published prior to the show. ‘I was just telling the truth.” Denver Post, 1988 |
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| With Chuck Berry, Mile High Stadium, 1986 |
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| Jinx with the great Roy Buchanan |
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| Jinx Jones as Sideman:
Jinx Jones has lent his guitar-playing prowess to many artists and groups during his career. During the Summer of 1976, Jinx supplied backing guitar to the King of Rock and Soul, Solomon Burke. Later that summer he also backed soul-singer Howard Bomar in opening slots for Johnny Taylor, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, the Dells, the Sylvers, and Hot Chocolate. The following winter, Jinx was a member of the R&B group Distinctive Movement who performed concert dates with Natalie Cole.
Jinx joined the popular doo-wop show band, Tom Slick in 1978 and toured the United States extensively throughout that year. During this time, he was part of a musical group that backed many touring shows that appeared at AstroWorld in Houston, Texas. It was during this time that Jinx first appeared with Rock n’ Roll legend Chuck Berry. Jinx performed with Berry off and on from 1979 through 1988, playing in one of Berry’s many regional touring bands.
In 1984, Jinx asked to play several dates with American guitar legend Roy Buchanan. He recalls the impact and influence that Buchanan had on his concept of guitar. “I think that when I saw Roy play, with the ease and grace that he fully commanded at all times, I really saw the guitar as a whole new instrument.” Jinx played with Buchanan through his Colorado tours in the summers of 1984 and 1985. One of Jinx’s most treasured possessions is his guitar that Roy autographed with the caption, “Thanks forever.”
Jinx added guitar tracks to the R&B album “In Search of the Last Trump of Funk” by the Nation Funktasia. During 1991 and 1992 Jinx played with R&B superstars En Vogue on their triple platinum album “Funky Divas,” and played both guitar and bass on their signature hit “Free Your Mind.” Other sessions with En Vogue followed, but Jinx Jones was then moving into another musical direction, and his days as a sideman for hire were quickly taking a back seat to his pursuit of a solo career. |
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| Roy Buchanan |
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| Jinx with Roy Buchanan, June, 1985 |
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Another dimension of Jinx Jones’ music is his impressive songwriting. Winning several songwriters’ awards, Jones’ continues to write songs that explore unknown territory, while telling a story that can reach out and touch every listener.
Jinx is too restrained a player to be a Jimi clone. He also plays some nasty-funk influenced guitar.”
--Guitar World, January, 1993
During the 1990’s Jones performed with many groups in the San Francisco bay area, where he currently lives. He explored rockabilly and American roots music with the Bachelors, and also formed his own jazz trio that currently performs many of the jazz clubs in San Francisco.
“Jinx is the best. To disagree is to say that you’ve never seen him perform. He is, by far, one of the most gifted players in the city.”
--Front Row, October, 1985
“Gifted with a good swing feel, the eclectic Jinx Jones spices up Rock, Jazz, R&B and Rockabilly arrangements with chromatic surprises…his sophisticated phrasing suggests good things to come.”
--Guitar Player Magazine, May, 1993
In 2000, Jinx Jones released his solo rockabilly CD, “License to Twang” which received stellar reviews form national magazines such as Guitar Player, Vintage Guitar, and Blue Suede News. His current rockabilly band the KingTones have appeared on National Public Radio and are a popular attraction in the California market.
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Awards:
Triple Platinum Record Award: Vogue: FunkyDivas
Gold Record Award: En Vogue: Free Your Mind
Bay Area's Songwriter Competition: Second place 1989
Colorado Composer's Classic, First place 1986
Selected Articles:
Rytmi, (FI) Interview, September, 2007
Big Beat (FI), Interview, September, 2007
Vintage Guitar Magazine, Featured Interview, August 2007
Big Beat (FI), CD Review, July 2007
Rockabilly Magazine, CD Review, July, 2007
Guitar Player Magazine, CD Review, June 2007
Vintage Guitar Magazine, CD Review, June 2007
ToneQuest Reports, Interview, March, 2007
CrakckerJack Rockabilly (UK) Review and Article, January 2007
Big Beat, (FI) Feature Article, December 2005
Rockabilly Magazine, CD Review, December 2005
East Bay Express, Datebook Spotlight, March 2002
Guitar Player Magazine: Reviews, March, 2001
Continental Restyling (UK) “The Bachelors: June 1995
Guitar Player Magazine: Spotlight, May, 1993
Guitar World Magazine: Hometown Heroes: San Francisco, January, 1993
Vintage Guitar Magazine, License to Twang, Reviews, August, 2001
Blue Suede News, Music Reviews, Spring 2001
Cool and Strange Music, Album Reviews, Summer, 2001
Continental Restyling, London, San Francisco Rockabilly, Jan. 1996
San Francisco Weekly: Jack Duval Combo, July 1996
Rocky Mtn. News, Feb 7, 1997 - Entertainment section
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| Rocky Mountain News, Feb. 1985 |
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