Jontavious Willis

He is one of the most brilliant bluesmen of today, heir to an authentic and sincere tradition! Living legend Taj Mahal describes him as the "Wonderboy" and "the Wunderkind".

With each generation, a young bluesman bursts onto the scene and sends a jolt through the blues community. Jontavious Willis might just have that effect on people. The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist has released a new album, Spectacular Class. Through original lyrics written by Willis himself, this talented musician delivers a timeless album that showcases all types of blues: Delta, Piedmont, Texas, and Gospel. A native of Greenville, Georgia, Willis grew up singing gospel music at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church with his grandfather. From a young age, he had a talent and passion for music. At the age of 14, he stumbled upon a YouTube video of Muddy Waters playing “Hoochie Coochie Man” and was instantly hooked on the blues. Living legend Taj Mahal describes him as the “Wonderboy” and “the Wunderkind”. In 2015, Mahal asked Willis to play on stage with him. This appearance drew a roaring response from the audience and led Willis to bigger stages and greater opportunities, including opening for some shows on the TajMo tour, with his musical mentors Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’.

Many of Willis’s fans consider him an old soul. His instrument playing style and voice touch the very roots of country blues. He brings back the true soul of the music. A newspaper headline once called him a “70-year-old bluesman in a 20-year-old body”.

Spectacular Class is the follow-up to his debut album, Blue Metamorphosis, released in 2016 and which received rave reviews from magazines such as Living Blues and Blues & Rhythm. In 2018, the album was recognised by the Blues Foundation through its International Blues Challenge, where it received the award for best