Blues on the side: A gospel singer as a child, Jontavious Willis made a life-changing discovery around age 14 when he came across a YouTube video of Muddy Waters’ “Hoochie Coochie Man.” The Georgia native became an instant fan, and began his mastery of the Delta, Piedmont, and Texas blues, honing his chops as a fingerpicker, flatpicker, and slide player. Now a college student, Willis picks up gigs with major blues dudes such as Keb’ Mo’ and Taj Mahal between sociology classes at Columbia University. Mahal called him, “a great new voice of the 21st century in the acoustic blues.”
Related stories
Overflowing with inspiration
By Dave Gil de Rubio The ancient Greek playwright Euripides said, “To a father growing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter.” It’s a sentiment Paul Janeway, the namesake of Southern soul outfit St. Paul & the Broken Bones, can relate to. In 2020, fatherhood and the ability to create a musical message for Janeway’s […]
In fine voice
Some of Charlottesville’s most talented vocalists take flight at Songbirds & Divas. Ti Ames, Richelle Claiborne (right), and Leslie M. Scott-Jones stir the soul with powerful renditions of songs by Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Jazmine Sullivan, Destiny’s Child, The Marvelettes, and more. The singers perform both solo sets and as a group in a concert […]
Jump shots
Seeing is sometimes unbelievable at the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour short film screenings. Take to the mountains, the sea, and uncharted terrain as you ride along with the outdoor action, defying gravity from your seat while enjoying soaring moves and dizzying views. The event benefits the Shenandoah National Park Trust. $25, times […]
