When age really is just a number…

 Jontavious Willis   http://jontaviouswillis.com/media

Every so often, we use the words, prodigy or genius or in some other ways recognize outstanding, unique, and special skill sets and innate qualities regardless of age. Last night, Auburn Public Theater in Auburn, NY (APT) presented a vocalist and musician who possesses impeccable mastery of his creativity. 

 Jontavious Willis is a Bluesman in the truest sense of the word. At 22, he has explored with versatility, skill and verve various genres of the Blues across regions and landscapes where this musical genre is deeply rooted in tradition and extraordinary expressions of life and its complexities.

Jontavious started his musical exploration at the age of 14 after seeing a video of Muddy Waters. A self-taught musician (guitar, harmonica, banjo) he started singing years earlier at 3 in his church. Born in Greenville, Georgia, Willis is now a master musician who reveres and extols the music and lyrics of old-time blues people who framed the tenets of the music and its influences. 

His 2016 CD, “Blue Metamorphosis” is an early testament to his prodigy status. Internationally known artist, Taj Mahal stated in that CD’s liner notes, “That’s my Wonderboy, the Wunderkind. He’s a great new voice of the 21^st century in the acoustic blues. I just love the way he plays.”

 

Jontavious Willis performs LIVE @ Auburn Public Theater, Auburn, NY  February 21, 2019

In two prolific sets that mesmerized and enthralled the APT audience (who packed the theater’s “stage right” intimate club space) to participate in his joyous performance on every song, this musician caressed words; deftly picked at strings, and blended his multi-dimensional voice with artful guitar and harmonica playing in a celebratory acknowledgement of the Blues and in one case, the soulfulness of Prince and James Brown.     

Jontavious Willis is a Bluesman. No doubt!

And age is really just a number!

  

Check out the Jontavious Willis performance schedule and other info available at www.jontaviouswillis.com

 And when in Auburn, NY check out programmed events at Auburn Public Theater. 

* * *

aaduna - an online adventure with words and images - a globally read, multi-cultural, and diverse online literary and visual arts journal established in #seward2010.  Visit us at www.aaduna.org where we put measurable actions to our words.

Help us build community!  Share with your friends,  "like" our Aaduna-Inc facebook page and follow us on twitter @ aadunaspeaks !  

 aaduna-Inc  Visit regularly for updates !