William Jones (vocals & guitar)
Yoann Kempst (guitar)
Thiery (bass)
Fred chapon (drums)
Deff Jeff (guiter)
Influences
James Ingram, Peobo Bryson, Bebe Winans, George Michael, Sting Ben Harper, Tracy Chapman, Seal, Boyz To Men, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight...
“My music has come of age” says he when asked to define his brand of music; “the first songs I wrote as a teenager were country songs, I guess that came from growing up around country music of the likes of Don Williams, Kenny Rodgers etc.” Gone are those days. William Jones today has given in to influences from jazz, blues, soul, R&B, rock, and reggae music; he classifies his crossover-type music as Folk/pop. His first self-produced album ‘New day’ is finally in the market and work has begun on a follow up album.
“My moving to France in 2003 was widely criticized by friends and family” says the French-Nigerian artist, “but you know I’ve played with bands in different parts of the world including the innervision band, the real deal jazz/gospel group, played in piano bars from Nigeria to the USA and in all around Europe, yet I feel strongly that my place is here in Europe especially here in France where the level of receptiveness to new brands of music is very high.”
Before moving to France William Jones was the highest paid unrecorded artist in a country of over 160 million people. And as to why he didn’t put out an album then he says, “the market there back then wasn’t ready for my music and vise versa…” what a thing for a guy who began songwriting at age 14. He also had a juicy contract with the prestigious Hilton hotel Abuja where he enthralled the ‘Night cap’ at nights with his velvety, mesmerizing voice.
These days William can be seen in concerts in France and beyond. He featured this year in a widely televised concert and fashion show in London organized by ‘loud n proud’.
Hey Will!! Im fine thx! What about u?? I haven't been spending much time on myspace lately...i'm making the most of sunny days!:) So what u been up to? How was ur concert in the parisian bar? Sure it was awesome, u got a great voice! Have a nice evening!
Le quotidien 'Le Monde' a consacré un article à la plateforme Rollingbox.com... Je vous invite à le lire :+)
MARIER MUSIQUE ET DEVELOPPEMENT DURABLE
PROMOTION ARTISTIQUE ET ENGAGEMENT HUMANITAIRE POUR LE SITE ROLLINGBOX.COM
Les deux aspirations ne semblent pas s'associer d'évidence : Améliorer le niveau de vie des populations de la forêt Amazonienne tout en assurant des revenus descents aux artistes, c'est pourtant la double mission que s'est fixée le site Rollingbox.com. Les membres de la petite équipe qui s'en occupe ont trouvé là l'occasion de marier leur amour de la musique à leurs convictions personnelles. "Trouver un modèle économique qui permet aux artistes de vivre, c'est aussi aider à leur développement durable" ajoute malicieusement Virginie FAIVET, directrice marketing et commerciale du site.
Pour commencer, Rollingbox.com est avant tout un portail de musique, et un magazine Web d'actualités consacré à la POP, au ROCK, à la FOLK, au JAZZ. Un réseau social autour de la musique, à la manière de Myspace, qui propose l'hébergement aux artistes plus un ensemble d'outils de promotion, de distribution, de communication.
Pleased to meet you--thanks so much for being friends! Perhaps we'll meet for real at a show sometime soon. All the best 'til then!
Cheers,
Aaron
P.S. twitter/aaronbeaumont :)