Keziah Jones0

Keziah Jones is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He describes his musical style as “Blufunk”, which is a fusion between raw blues elements and hard, edgy funk rhythms. Also his Nigerian roots in Yoruba music and soul music can be considered a major influence on his sound. He is known for his distinctive style of guitar playing, including his percussive right-hand technique which is similar to a bass guitarist’s slapping technique. He’s also famous for playing most of his live shows with a bare torso. A Nigerian-born rocker heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Fela Kuti, Keziah Jones gained popularity in England and France with singles like Rhythm Is Love and Beautiful Emile. Jones was sent to a boarding school in London when he was eight, and he started busking in the London Underground when he was in his teens. He gigged up a storm in Covent Garden and Portobello Road, which led to his discovery by manager Phil Pickett. One bassist (Phil “Soul” Sewell), one drummer (Richie Stevens), and many gigs later, Jones found himself with his first album, Blufunk Is a Fact!, in 1992. Several more albums ensued over the next 20 years (African Space Craft, Liquid Sunshine, Black Orpheus and Nigerian Wood among them), fixing Jones as one of the more prominent blues-rock musicians on the European and world music scenes.

Website: http://www.keziahjones.com