about James
Born in Airdrie, Scotland, raised in and around Toronto. Many travels hence.
A professional musician since the early 80’s, James has been a guitar player and vocalist in Rock bands, Top 40 bands, Country bands, among other genres. He has covered artists as diverse as Rush, Dire Straits, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steve Earle, the Beatles, and performs various styles including the American Songbook, Jazz and Pop Standards.
He is an original Solo acoustic Singer/Songwriter as well as a Writer (read him on SubStack) and Podcaster (The Train From Airdrie Station).
Some of his original work includes the Vibewrangler Sessions, Dispatch From Purgatory, and the Days of Convenience. His albums listed here, and her songs, have found radio play around the world.
Reminiscent of Mark Knopfler at times, and jazz/blues players at other times, James has developed a very recognizable style as a lead guitarist, rhythm guitarist, fingerstyle accompanist for solo artists, with both electric work and nylon string guitar tracks.
His baritone voice perfect for jazz standards, and folky acoustic ballads. A wealth of both original and cover material.
Reviews.
“…singer/songwriter James Clark Jones has created a multi-genre gem with the days of convenience, his latest CD.
The disc kicks off with a beautiful poetry reading and then travels through jazz, blues, folk, celtic music and many other sonic territories. No matter where the songs lead, they're all reinforced with great songwriting and storytelling. Highlights include the bluesy/jazzy Cool, the power of Rising Young Man, and the sweet melancholy of Whisky. (HAMILTON BLUES LOVERS)
James Clark Jones accompanies his world-class songs on acoustic and electric guitar. He has managed to keep the sound extremely minimalist. This record is a welcome surprise for lovers of emotionally sincere ballads (Better Days, The Last Martini, and Look At You). “Dispatch From Purgatory” continues its journey via the refined Straight A’s Blues to the swing in The Years Away From You. Jazz is not skipped in the pleasantly lazy Wonder, while the CD concludes with growling blues swing in Waiting For The Phone. James Clark Jones sings like a driven Cat Stevens. His guitar playing has the fiery energy of Leon Redbone. “Dispatch From Purgatory” is a devilishly pleasant record with unpolished gems. (AltCountry Forum)