Album Notes

ABOUT STEVE JONES:

Steve Jones grew up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and has been playing guitar since age 7. His parents both taught music as a profession, and encouraged music at a young age. Steve's father started him out playing the coronet and piano, but it wasn't until Steve discovered the guitar that his love for music was to be fully realized. The one person who had the most profound influence on Steve was the late Ervin Ollila (known to most as Heinie). He was a self-taught musical genius, unknown by most of the world. Heinie recognized Steve's talent and cultivated it until about age 18. It was from Heinie that Steve learned that without feeling, it's not music! The two played together at establishments and special events throughout the U.P. until 1998 New Years Day, when Heinie passed away. Steve was a typical teen and delved into rock & roll bands and even heavy metal, however he did finally discover real music! After Heinie passed away, Steve began playing with another guitarist by the name of Rob Fritz. Rob is a great rhythm guitarist/singer who played the Detroit circuit before moving north. Steve and Rob then hooked up with Drummer Jeff Oldiges and formed the band On The Fritz. Steve also was an original member in the band Fat Cow, a more modern jazz/funk/blues group from Michigan. Steve played with these two groups throughout the 90's and into 2000, until September 2001, at which time Steve took a job in Connecticut and moved east.

This was to be a trying time, as Steve had to in essence start his musical career over. Then, in the early spring (?) of 2002 Steve's musical career was to take yet another turn when he met rhythm guitarist Bill Lezotte. This was to be a great match up of two distinct styles. Bill and Steve hit it off right away when they learned of each other's love for the music of Django Reinhardt. They began working out tunes and are now playing three nights a week around the Farmington Valley area in Connecticut. Steve has 6 CD's to his credit both solo and with various groups. He has won local and national guitar competitions in 2002 and 2003, and performed at the Hard Rock Cafe, Boston; The House of Blues, Cambridge MA; The House of Blues, Las Vegas NV, and numerous clubs and festivals throughout the Midwest and New England. His major listening influences are: Lenny Breau, Django Reinhardt, Oscar Moore, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Chet Atkins, & Barney Kessel, just to name a few. Steve plays an Oval Hole Selmer style guitar built by Robert J. Aylward, a superb luthier from Scotland, a 1933 Epiphone Triumph Masterbilt, and also plays a 1991 Washburn J-6 (back when they first came out and were actually good guitars).

ABOUT THE ALBUM:

On this album, Steve used his Washburn J6 through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe mic'd with a Shure SM57. Also used was his R.J. Aylward oval hole gypsy guitar through an acoustic amplifier. Yes, SOME of the tracks on this album are over-dubbed! Steve uses Cool Edit Pro exclusively to record rhythm tracks and then record the lead lines over. Any other questions about the album can be directed to Steve, he is always happy to answer any questions you might have!