Jr & The Jewel Tones

Jr & the Jewel-Tones is the latest unit to be fronted by Sydney’s veteran blues player, Bruce Jr Bongers. The Jewel-Tones play a heart-felt mix of funky & swinging, soulful grooves that always have a firm foundation in the raw Chicago blues of the ‘50’s & 60’s. Expect some Little Walter & Jr Wells harmonica-based pieces but be prepared for tasteful excursions into soul, funk and groovy, organ-based jazz, sometimes punctuated by Bruce’s beefy baritone saxophone playing. Bruce (vocals, harmonicas, saxophones: ex Jr & the Gold-Tops, Bigtop Blues Band, Downhome Quartet) is joined by guitarist Dave Shaw, master keyboardist John Tweed and Bruce’s long-term musical partner, drummer Darryl Jacobs. The band came about when Bruce & Dave were playing with another unit. They quickly realized the affinity they had with each other’s playing. Both had a deep appreciation of the subtle synergies of the guitar and harmonica’s roles in classic Chicago blues and also an adventurous spirit that prepared them to explore more closely areas of soulful jazzy grooves. With a wide-range of influences (including Jr Wells, Robert Jr Lockwood, Little Walter, Jimmy Smith, Ronnie Earl, Pepper Adams, Kenny Burrell) the Jewel-Tones are steadily carving out a unique niche in Sydney’s R& B scene. They have the experience, chops & determination to get you shakin’.