Album Notes

The Jon & Roy collaboration began in 2004 amidst the buzz of a cluster-house centurion. Upon repeated requests from those who had seen Jon Middleton perform around UVic before, Jon picked up his vintage L'arrivé, closed his eyes and let loose. Having crossed the Georgia Straight earlier that day to visit the island, Roy tuned up his bongos and added some rhythm. Warming up to the sound of one and one, the room quieted found a lull. People listened. People laughed. People smiled.

The music?

A blend of folk, hip-hop and reggae with an island tinge.

Four years and two albums later Jon and Roy are essentially doing the same thing: combining melodies, beats and vocals in a way that speaks to audiences in an intimate and captivating way. Granted, Jon Middleton has grown from a young, talented songwriter into a prolific lyricist/singer and a fluid guitarist, bassist and ukelele player and Roy Vizer has taken his beginnings as a hand percussionist and moved onto the throne of a full traps kit.
The combined success of their first collaboration Sittin’ Back and Jon’s solo album After a Trip opened doors for them at venues all over Western Canada and attracted attention from radio stations in the region. Yet despite the duo’s local success, the same charm that led people from far down the beach to their friendly fireside, still leads fans to the bars, clubs and halls across Western Canada to see Jon and Roy perform.
The music of Jon and Roy has reached all four corners of the globe. From the flea markets of Brazil to the rural parts of Tasmania, Jon & Roy's album Sittin' Back and Jon Middleton's After a Trip have taken on lives of their own with fans wanting to spread the music to their friends and family.
Over the years, Jon and Roy have shared stages with Canadian artists Buck 65, Current Swell, Hey Ocean!, Mother Mother and international bands, the Beautiful Girls and State Radio. Songs from their albums have been used in surf videos by the Californian production company Deep Water Films, included on a promotional Soundtrack for the popular PBS TV program Road Trip Nation and on a compilation album for the Salmon Nation Project based out of Portland, Oregon.
Having reached their mid-twenties Jon & Roy are poised to release their long-awaited, second collaboration, titled Another Noon. With the help of producer Stephen Franke, the duo looks forward to spreading their music from Coast to Coast. The spring and summer of 2008 will see the duo taking their live show across the country stoking old acquaintances, friends and fans and seeking out new smiling faces and open ears at festivals, club gigs and wherever the music might lead.

www.myspace.com/jonandroy
www.myspace.com/jwmiddleton
www.jonandroy.ca