| Name |
Keziah Jones |
| Height |
|
| Naionality |
Norwegian |
| Date of Birth |
10-January-1968 |
| Place of Birth |
Lagos, Nigeria |
| Famous for |
Singing |
Keziah Jones is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He describes his musical style as "Blufunk", which is a fusion between raw blues elements and hard, edgy funk rhythms. Also his Nigerian roots in Yoruba music and soul music can be considered a major influence on his sound.
He is known for his distinctive style of guitar playing, including his percussive right-hand technique which is similar to a bass guitarist's slapping technique. He's also famous for playing most of his live shows with a bare torso. Jones led a bohemian lifestyle for several years instead of the one envisaged for him. "Lose all time, love your mind, free your soul!" were words from his song Free Your Soul. Moving from London to Paris and back again frequently accompanied only by his guitar, the young Jones acquired a reputation as a talented musician and charismatic performer with a unique "hard funk" style. In 1991, whilst busking for food money in London's Portobello Road, Keziah was discovered by composer and ex-keyboard player for Sailor and Culture Club, Phil Pickett quickly evolving into full time management of the artist. After a brief but near disastrous flirtation with Capitol Records in the USA, in 1992, Pickett signed Keziah to Emmanuel de Buretel's Delabel label for his debut album Blufunk Is a Fact. Recording in London with producer Kevin Armstrong, included in the worldwide success of the project was Keziah's first single "Rhythm is Love."
Jones attributes his Parisian subway experiences as highly instrumental to his by now blossoming career in his official biography. By 2008, Jones had recorded eight albums and one DVD. After performing many shows and festivals throughout the world between 2009-12, late in 2012 Keziah Jones was back in Lagos preparing to record his new studio album set for world wide release on Because Music in 2013 Keziah Jones also paints and writes poetry. He’s a talented photographer and he produces short films, one among them entitled BLACKSPEEDTEXT This film, his music and the other facets of his artistic life reflect his experiences on the streets.
Keziah often cites Fela Kuti, Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix as important influences, along with Michael Jackson. Keziah is not in support of Drm, he thinks music should be shared no matter the cost, and that people in third world countries should listen to music to help them. Jones works with these people, and so plays music while doing it.
