Jontavious Willis Releases ‘Ghost Woman’ Single
Grammy winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Jontavious Willis releases his new single “Ghost Woman” from his upcoming album West Georgia Blues, out August 16th via Strolling Bones Records.
“Ghost Woman” follows the first two singles “West Georgia Blues” and “Keep Your Worries on the Dance Floor,” which Atwood Magazine described as “a smile-inducing, soul-soaked song full of stunning guitar work, sweet light, and heartwarming charm… [the track] will get the whole room moving and grooving, laughing and loving with an irresistible, undeniable kinetic energy.”
“This song is a folk duo in the key of D with me on guitar and vocals, accompanied by a double bass,” explains Jontavious. “The inspiration came from George Carter, which was a pseudonym for Charlie Lincoln, a twelve string Georgia Blues musician, and Ida Cox – another Georgia Blues musician. The song is about a fellow losing his lover who’s gone on to the next life. She visited him as a ghost but has stopped, leading him to go crazy and at the point of doing anything to be reacquainted with her.”
“Ghost Woman”
Joyous and resonant, Jontavious Willis’ third album is an invitation to everyone out there—whether Blues aficionado or just passing through the genre—to connect with the very universal emotions captured through the Blues. Entirely self-produced, West Georgia Blues comprises fifteen original songs that tackle time-honored themes from heartbreak and loneliness to celebration and self-discovery. Jontavious underscores the versatility of this genre and its enduring relevance today with humor and authenticity.
Jontavious Willis is resolved in his mission: to reinvigorate today’s Blues with the spirit of the past. Drawn to a time when the Blues were plentiful and rhythm reigned supreme, Jontavious leverages his unique sound—a synthesis of his Georgia heritage and the rich history of the Blues—to get the world dancing again. A Grammy-nominated musician and songwriter, Jontavious performs original, toe-tapping tunes in the style of Delta, Piedmont, and Texas Blues. With a bawdy, playful sense of humor, he channels the lively “rent parties” and “juke joints” of yesteryear, imparting the vitality of the Blues across communities today.
Jontavious was born and raised in rural Georgia, an environment with deep cultural roots that inspire his soulful vocals and virtuosic technique. He spent much of his childhood singing Gospel music with his grandfather at the Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, the site of his earliest live performances. A teenage phenom, Jontavious achieved widespread acclaim when he accompanied living Blues legend Taj Mahal—who would go on to dub him his “Wonderboy”—onstage in 2015. His first opportunity to tour nationally soon followed; he opened for Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ during their joint TajMo tour in 2017.
In 2016, his debut album Blue Metamorphosis garnered rave reviews in Living Blues and Blues & Rhythm, later winning the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge 2018 Award for Best Self-Produced CD. Spectacular Class, his Grammy-nominated sophomore album in 2019, saw Jontavious survey an array of Blues styles with dynamic ensemble performances. His forthcoming West Georgia Blues, a self-produced album featuring a full band, is slated for release this August 2024.
Jontavious considers himself an ambassador to the Blues, and this latest album brings the versatility of the genre right to the forefront. While tackling time-honored themes of heartbreak, hardship, and resilience, Jontavious also reminds us that the Blues are meant to bring us together in times of celebration through song and dance.
Jontavious Willis website
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