Like Father Like Son

[Guest Harold Pelham]

Although it is nearly 3 years Since Real Side Records released the superb "Can't Leave Your Love Alone" by Tutu Jones it has remained largely undiscovered. However with the recent success of the similarly paced "Break Out The tears" by Angel, it is finally set to take off.

Johnny Jones Jnr (aka Tutu) was born and raised in South Dallas, Texas. His father and uncle's were acclaimed blues musicians and he grew up surrounded by instruments and records. One night when his uncle's drummer didn't show they called on Tutu to fill in, he was 5 years old. "They had to sit me up on Coca Cola cases so I could reach the cymbals" recalls Tutu. He became emersed in the Blues, playing anything by Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Freddie and Albert King, Junior Parker and Bobby Bland.

Johnny Jones Snr was an excellent guitar player and drummer and a life-long friend and band-member of the legendary Freddie King. He was a well known studio guitarist in Nashville where he formed his first band in The Imperial Seven playing with the likes of a young Jimi Hendrix. However, he is best remembered by Northern Soul fans for his trio of Brunswick recordings with The King Casuals and in particular his soul working of the Hendrix classic "Purple Haze".

As a child, Tutu was constantly surrounded by Blues luminaries such as Ernie Johnson (of Eddie & Ernie fame) and Little Joe Blue. It was the most natural thing for him to pursue a musical career and he joined R.L. Griffin's band, The Dallas City Superstars, with whom he toured extensively, hiring out as a drummer for Z.Z. Hill, Al "TNT" Braggs, Ernie Johnson, Little Joe Blue, The Coasters, Little Milton, Barbara Lynn and Tyrone Davis.

Whilst on tour Tutu mastered the Blues guitar which soon became his main focus, enabling him to leave R.L. and form his own band. The combination of his musicianship and smooth soul vocals saw him opening for Clarence Carter and Denise Lasalle and his career has gone from strength to strength. In 1990 he started writing and has now released two albums of his own material.

"Bobby Bland called me and wanted me to go out on the road with him. But I've been behind other folks so long I feel like it's time to get out there for myself. I think I'm going to keep working on my own thing."

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Edited May 26, 2008 by Harold Pelham