Fernando Jones

Photo by Glenn Kaupert

Fernando Jones | Renaissance Man

"[Fernando] you are one in a million trying to get to the bottom of the barrel of the Blues.”

Buddy Guy (Click to see photo of the two)

"Few Chicago Blues musicians have done more to nurture the next generation of talent than guitarist Fernando Jones."

Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

"I work on my craft and my complete package every single day. I perform every show as if it were Carnegie Hall. My music and I are one. Being born 5 months premature, one looks at life differently."

Fernando Jones

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The Bluesman + Musician + Educator

Booking Request | Band Stage Plot | Blank Contract

During the COVID-19 Jones established an interview series entitled Midnight Music Mix. Click here to view.

If one word could describe this "creative" named Fernando Jones it would be rare. This multi-instrumentalist started off by playing the Blues on the guitar when he was just four years old. Today, he's still going strong as a bandleader. This world-class, internationally known American Bluesman, educator and songwriter was born to loving Mississippi parents on the Southside of Chicago. They were advocates for education and the arts. Jones is one of a few living African American Bluesmen to have a tribute album of his compositions done by a band on a different continent; Jona's Blues Band of Rome, Italy is the group.

Jones has performed his compositions from basement parties to the University of Hawaii to The Smithsonian Institute to the Conservatory of Music in Pescara, Italy to nightclubs in Havana, Cuba. Here is a sample of his scholarly writing in the Journal of Popular Music Studies and awards. In January 2020, the National Association of Music Merchants invited him to host a lecture on the impact of Blues Pedagogy. As a lecturer Fernando Jones has established Blues Camps for youths on the continents of Asia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean island of Cuba. Here's an interview on him done by The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library .

As evident of his work(s) demonstrate; here’s why Fernando Jones, a Keeping the Blues Alive Award recipient and Chicago Blues Hall of Fame member is worth investing in as a performer, lecturer and/or an artist-in-residence. Fernando Jones is original in his approach to music with a focus on the Blues and the performing arts.

Fernando Jones on Buddy Guy Radio Nov 11, 2021Fernando Jones

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KBA ACCEPTANCE SPEECHFernando Jones

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Background

Inspired by his older brothers, Foree, Marvin and Greg, Jones taught himself how to play guitar when he was just four years old, and has been playing ever since. Today, he’s still an internationally traveled performer and educator; as a bandleader Fernando Jones & My Band! is a sharp dressed, raw guitar driven original sounding power trio. Their sound is full, sexy, and always evolving. Whether playing alone in someone's living room or with his band in concert, each performance is entertaining and engaging among multigenerational audiences. He has no tricks or gimmicks and is easy to work with and is one of the most complete Bluesmen and scholars of his generation.

Jones is on faculty in the Music Department at Columbia College Chicago as the founding Blues Ensemble director. There, his Blues Camp for student musicians ages 12 to 18 is in-residence. He is published in the Journal of Popular Music.

He also holds memberships with the American Federation of Musicians (Local 10-208), Broadcast Music, Inc. (songwriter and publisher), The Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated (Lifetime Membership).

Jones is the go-to-guy for all things Blues when the City of Chicago needs a music ambassador. Whether playing alone in someone's living room or with his band in concert, each performance is entertaining and engaging among multi-generational audiences. He has tricks or gimmicks and is easy to work with and is one of the most complete Bluesmen and scholars of his generation.

From books to films, from sound recordings to theatrical productions, his contributions to this American art form have been paramount. Jones has been recognized and celebrated by his peers and the press as being on the "cutting edge" of the Blues. He adds new blood and a new perspective to its legacy, musically and culturally. As a composer, he has taken great pride in performing his original works publicly to help insure the evolutionary development of this movement.

Press Photos

• Video link to our latest TV broadcast

• Headshots (Face)

• Headshots (With Instruments and Suits)

The Graphic Designer & Visual Artist

See ink drawings, logos and painting samples of Fernando Jones.

• www.FernandoJones.com/Art