We are delighted to announce that the next artist on the tour this term is Kelvin Jones! 

Kelvin Jones is one of the biggest rising stars in music to have gained such a substantial online following, so quickly, in recent years. In January 2014 a friend posted his song “Call You Home” on Reddit where it received more than a million views in 24 hours. That was the beginning of the kind of story that can only be written in today’s digital age. The song was discovered by the producers of ‘Good Morning America’ and subsequently played on the show. Almost overnight, Kelvin recruited an army of followers and caught the attention of international major record labels who battled it out to sign him, eventually penning a joint deal with Epic and Four Music.

Kelvin is a fan of the late B. B. King, Buddy Guy and John Mayer. His songs are a perfect blend of blues and stirring pop. “Of course, I also know the music of Robert Johnson and Charlie Patton,” says Kelvin, “but the monotony of the old Delta blues makes me impatient. I like things to be melodic. B.B. King is my biggest influence because he never played one single note too many on the guitar – yet at the same time he can wring the most beautiful melodies from the blues framework.” Despite his young age, Kelvin Jones is already a formidable minimalist. He sings with a soulful voice, his melodies are just as catchy as they are voluptuous, yet he plays without unnecessary embellishment or any eclectic ornamentation.

Kelvin recorded his debut album ‘Stop The Moment’ in Berlin – with a band. Although he has toured alone with an acoustic guitar up until now, all that is set to change: “Only a good song can be delivered with sparse acoustic guitar accompaniment. That’s why it’s so important for me to try out my songs in front of audiences on my own. But it’s only with a band behind me and an electric guitar in my hands that I can get close enough to my idea of blues-pop. Sounds are like colours, and they open a space for associations. My lyrics work best in combination with tonal colours.” And why Berlin? “It’s always about people. The reason why I signed with Four Music was because of the people. And people are the reason why I recorded my album in Berlin.