Bio

One man, an acoustic guitar, and the grittiest blues voice in the world – Paul Ubana Jones is a unique and powerful talent. He has made audiences the world over sit up and listen, through the force of his artistry and stage presence.

Born and raised in London to a Nigerian father and an English mother, Paul began playing at the age of eleven. A scholarship to the Chiswick Music Conservatory followed, where he studied classical guitar for four years. He played in a variety of bands, including Delroi Williams’ Soul Explosion, and toured in Europe and North Africa. Paul’s musical journey continued with a move to California and then to the south of France, where he appeared at the Bourges Festival de Printemps and at Passage du Nord Ouest in Paris.

Paul Ubana Jones has resided in New Zealand since 1985 and in this time he has established a large network of fans. He has toured extensively, both in concerts and in educational guitar workshops sponsored by QE2. He has been the opening act for Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Crowded House, which exposed him nationally to large audiences, as well as making dedicated fans of Womack and the Womack and Phoebe Snow.

Four albums for New Zealand's Pagan label were followed by one in the United States for Flying Fish Records. This highly acclaimed release has led to invitations from major festivals, including Vancouver, Winnipeg, Owen Sound and the Philadelphia Folk Festival, where he made a strong impact on thousands of unsuspecting listeners. Both Taj Mahal and Tuck & Patti have asked him to open concerts at UCLA and Slim's, among other venues.

Links

• Artist Website
• Amplifier Profile