Jonathan Ellison - Guitar Cry For Me (2017)

Jonathan “Jo-Nathan” Ellison is one of the most dynamic, exciting and explosive artists to hit the music scene in recent memory. Born in the humble town of Brownsville, TN (hometown of Blues greats “Brownsville” Son Bonds and “Sleepy” John Estes, and a stone’s throw from where Anna Mae Bullock–better known as Tina Turner–stomped out her tunes), Jonathan has deep roots in a variety of musical genres including gospel, soul, blues and classic rock. His parents formed the gospel group, The Ellison Family, two years before he was born. The Ellison Family would go on to record eight gospel albums. His father taught each of his children to play instruments; by the age of five, Jonathan was already playing drums and performing regularly around the South. By age 10 he had also picked up the bass and piano, while setting his sights on learning to play the guitar—which would later become his instrument of choice. He continued to flourish on this instrument into his teens, performing for various gospel quartets and choirs in the area.
After graduating high school, Jonathan moved to the Mecca of gospel and soul, Memphis, TN. While attending the University of Memphis, he began playing for community choirs and solo artists, quickly becoming a sought-after guitarist for workshops and gospel recording sessions. Jonathan’s break came when he was given the opportunity to play lead guitar at BB King’s Blues Club while the current guitarist was out of the country. Nicknamed “Jo-Nathan” at the club because he and the then-band leader shared the same first name, the nickname stuck and is how he’s known on the music scene to this day. Jonathan soon became a mainstay at nightspots throughout Memphis and began touring the country with numerous secular artists. After several years on the road, he returned to Beale Street as the Guitarist/Band Leader for BB King’s Blues Club house band, “The BB King All-Stars.” Shortly thereafter, he became the band’s lead singer and one of the club’s featured artists—often opening for the King of Blues himself, Mr. BB King!
Jonathan is currently touring as the opening act and lead guitarist for the newly-crowned Queen of the Blues & Southern Soul, Ms. Denise LaSalle. But, he still performs with his own band at venues throughout the southeastern US in his down time. He has recently begun working on his first solo project—hoping to share with the world his continuous efforts to keep the root style of music, the “Blues” ever strong and to be an inspiring, innovative artist.