Jontavious Willis

We had success with acoustic quality blues last year with Keb’ Mo’ and debutant Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport. We will continue on this track in 2025 with Jontavious Willis. 
There is a lot of exciting happening around young African-American blues artists in the USA these days. We want to help reflect that in Notodden Blues Festival. More and more young artists are going back to the deepest blues roots. It has almost developed into a kind of movement. It is happening both within acoustic and electric blues. Jontavious Willis, D.K. Harrell and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram are some of the artists who are leading the way in the youth’s renewed interest in traditional black music.
Jontavious Willis is a shining star in the new commitment to acoustic blues with roots from the 1920s and 30s. Perhaps only once in a generation do young artists burst onto the music scene who lead the way and create a musical wave. Jontavious Willis is one such artist. 
Grammy-winning artists such as Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ have discovered Jontavious Willis and are promoting him. Both were key producers on Willis’ Grammy-nominated breakthrough album, “Spectacular Class.” “Jontavious Willis, that’s my wonderboy,” says blues legend Taj Mahal. Jontavious Willis is the new king of acoustic blues and will play two days at the Notodden Blues Festival 2025.