Jontavious
"Quon" Willis
Every generation or so, a young bluesman bursts onto the scene — someone who sends a jolt through blues lovers, who has mastered the craft but also has the blues deep down in his heart and soul. Jontavious Willis is that person for the 21st century.
Photo: jontaviouswillis.com
"That's my Wonderboy, the Wunderkind. He's a great new voice of the 21st century in the acoustic blues. I just love the way he plays."
— Taj Mahal
Blues Legend
Jontavious Willis was born and raised in rural Greenville, Georgia — an environment with deep cultural roots that has continuously inspired his unique sound. He spent much of his childhood singing Gospel music at the Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church with his grandfather, which gave him his first stage. His passion for the Blues was sparked at age 14 when he came across a YouTube video of Muddy Waters playing "Hoochie Coochie Man."
He achieved widespread acclaim when living legend Taj Mahal invited Jontavious to accompany him onstage in 2015, with Taj describing him as his "Wonderboy." In 2018, Jontavious was invited to open for Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' during their joint TajMo tour, presenting his work on a national stage.
His acoustic debut album Blue Metamorphosis (2016) garnered rave reviews in Living Blues and Blues & Rhythm and won the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge 2018 Award for Best Self-Produced CD. His Grammy-nominated sophomore album Spectacular Class (2019), produced by Keb' Mo' and executive-produced by Taj Mahal, surveys an array of Blues styles with lively ensemble performances.
His most recent album, West Georgia Blues (2024), is entirely self-produced and features 15 original songs — an invitation to everyone to connect with the universal emotions of the Blues, from heartbreak and loneliness to celebration and self-discovery.
"To me the blues is the most important musical genre and the roots of many others. Deeper than that it is a cultural thing for me and my heritage. I feel when I play the blues I am connecting with those before me and presenting it to others — a spiritual type thing."
"Here's some flat picking Blues for y'all this morning. This is my rendition of Papa Charlie Jackson's "The Cat's Got The Measles" — I hope y'all have a great Monday, see you all out on the road."
"Thanks, everyone, for listening to my music. It's always a pleasure to know that folks want to hear me. See you all out on the road!"
"I decided to record a tune by Papa Charlie Jackson (1887–1938) entitled 'Coffee Pot Blues'. To my knowledge, it's the first modern recording of this song."
"The World Is In A Tangle" — from Spectacular Class (2019)