Portland, Oregon roots artist Lloyd Jones has recorded six critically acclaimed albums, toured internationally, and racked up dozens of major awards and accolades. He’s a relentless road dog, hitting festival stages, and clubs all across the land to enthusiastic crowds who can’t get enough of his swampy blues, back porch picking, serious-as-anthrax funk, soul, roadhouse two-beats and old-school rhythm and blues. Jones is a master of the soulful understatement, the raw growl, and the groove. From his roots in muddy Oregon soil, he’s forged a 30-plus-year career as an impassioned singer and fierce guitar slinger, a clever and soulful songwriter, a bandleader, record producer, and an almost strident torchbearer for all that’s true and good about America’s music. Jones is his own true artist who works diligently at pushing American roots music forward.
Vintage Soul brings a well-seasoned mix of blues, funk, R&B and soul to the table, stirred up like gumbo, and served with authenticity. Backed by one of Portland’s most iconic rhythm sections who’ve been the go-to unit with countless regional and touring artists for over three decades, drummer Brian Foxworth and bassist Ben Jones prove that there are no bounds to their deep musical connection as they illustrate mastery over an extensive range of rhythmic feels. Enter Louisiana piano man Steve Kerin, the Lafayette native and longtime Portlander provides a genuine link to much of the band’s Southern repertoire with a warm, transporting presence. While the former three pass the mic to share vocal duties, guitarist Chance Hayden stays solely in an instrumentalist role but with a rare chameleon-like versatility, getting straight to the heart of each song’s style while also retaining his own distinctive touch. Each member’s strengths only seem to multiply as they come together in this band, dubbed a supergroup by many, with the simple objective of delivering That Feel Good Music in this time of need.
Catch Vintage Soul with Lloyd Jones performing only on the Rollin’ on the River Blues Cruise on Thursday, July 4.
