I AM KRIS JONES

...was born into music. His father Mahue Jones a.k.a Joe Brazil was a jazz musician that played all instruments however, favoured the saxophone. His father born in Alabama in 1924 had to grow up in the harsh reality of being an African American in segregated times. Although some moments were extremely rough, music was always there to comfort him. While playing music in a big band he traveled all around the United States meeting all the big names in jazz at the time. This tour brought him to Montreal, Quebec where he met Margot Gagnon whom took his heart and he married. They had two children together. Kevin the oldest and Kris the youngest born on May 13^th, 1978.

All his childhood Kris was surrounded by musicians such as Captain ‘’Piano Man’’ Walls, Johnny Scott, Joe Burrell, Billy Martin, The Avalons, Joe Conyers, Sam Nichols and many more that were all friends and bandmates with his father. Kris however, didn’t really get into music until the age of 12 where he started to play drums and Kris’ brother Kevin who was 15 played guitar. Their father tried everything to get them to play jazz or blues but kids will be kids. All they wanted to play is punk and heavy metal. At the age of 18 Kevin traded the love of guitars for cars and motorcycles which turned out to be how Kris started playing guitar. In the beginning Kris continued playing punk and heavy metal until he discovered Jimi Hendrix which changed it all. Although his father had tried numerous times it was Hendrix that turned Kris to blues. After discovering blues from Hendrix Kris discovered all the greats of blues that influenced him greatly such as Robert Johnson, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Freddie King and of course the great Stevie Ray Vaughan. Hendrix and SRV are the two guitarist that Kris really idolized and motivated him to want to play. Now ready to learn Kris turned to the person who is one of the greatest musicians Kris has ever known, his father. Unfortunately by this time Kris’ father was now diagnosed with cancer and passed away shortly after when Kris was only 17.

For a long time Kris only played occasionally still struggling with his father’s passing and getting into the club scene. It was only in his 20’s that Kris seriously picked up the guitar again and has not looked back. The only thing holding Kris back was his shyness and lack of confidence which is the main reason he has flown under the radar for so long. Fortunately Kris met Gaston ‘’Gas’’ Belzile when he moved next door to him. ‘’Gas’’, a guitar player himself invited Kris to a jam session with some friends at his house. This is when ‘’Gas’’ saw the potential in Kris which motivated him to switch the guitar for a bass and start a band together. Playing with somebody that is outgoing and has stage experience helped Kris tremendously with his stage fright. They can currently be seen playing in the Black & White Band.
Kris' choice of guitars and style are true to his influences. Blues is present in everything he plays however, with a metal background he is not afraid to make things heavy.

Keep an eye out for Kris Jones!