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ON SALE FRIDAY, FEB 27 AT 10 AMSince 2018, Boston-based blues trio GA-20 have been at the forefront of a traditional Blues revival, channeling the raw intersection of Blues, Country, and Rock ‘n’ Roll with unapologetic authenticity. Guitarist Matt Stubbs, guitarist and vocalist Cody Nilsen, and drummer Josh Kiggans are disciples of song-based electric Blues, crafting records rooted in story, melody, and mood. “We make records that we would want to listen to,” says Stubbs. “It’s our take on the traditional electric Blues we love.”
Drawing inspiration from legends like Otis Rush, Howlin' Wolf, Junior Wells, Hound Dog Taylor, and Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, GA-20 delivers a sound that is both timeless and immediate. The band favors vintage instruments, tube amps, and traditional recording techniques—often cutting tracks live off the floor in one room—to capture the grit, chemistry, and reckless abandon that define their performances. In just a few short years, GA-20 has topped the Billboard Blues chart three times, won four Boston Music Awards for Best Blues Act, and earned multiple wins and nominations from the Blues Music Awards, Blues Blast Awards, and New England Blues Awards. Their music, as Medium aptly described, “travels through time…dirty and raw—timeless and modern.”
Joining them is Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jontavious Willis, an artist on a mission to reinvigorate contemporary Blues with the spirit of the past. Born and raised in rural Georgia, Jontavious draws deeply from his Southern roots, blending Delta, Piedmont, Texas, and Gospel Blues into a vibrant, danceable, and intellectually rich sound. His first performances came as a child singing Gospel at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church alongside his grandfather—an early foundation that shaped his commanding stage presence and soulful delivery.
At just 14, Jontavious discovered the Blues through a YouTube video of Muddy Waters performing “Hoochie Coochie Man,” igniting a passion that would define his career. His breakthrough came in 2015 when living legend Taj Mahal invited him onstage and later dubbed him his “Wonderboy.” He went on to open nationally for Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' during their TajMo tour, bringing his music to audiences across the country.
Jontavious’s 2016 acoustic debut, Blue Metamorphosis, won the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge Award for Best Self-Produced CD, while his Grammy-nominated sophomore album, Spectacular Class, showcased his dynamic ensemble work across a wide range of Blues traditions. His forthcoming release on Strolling Bones Records highlights his growth as a songwriter, featuring solo performances alongside duo, trio, and full-band recordings that offer a wholly original yet deeply rooted take on traditional Blues.
Together, GA-20 and Jontavious Willis represent two powerful forces in today’s Blues revival—artists who honor the genre’s history while pushing it forward with vitality, authenticity, and undeniable groove. Whether through electrified Chicago grit or foot-stomping acoustic storytelling, their music connects past and present, inviting audiences everywhere to feel the rhythm and keep the Blues alive.
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Peace Center, 101 West Broad Street ,Greenville,SC,United States
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