User:The Reverend Big Papa Jones

The Reverend “Big Papa” Jones was born on the banks of the mighty Mississippi in Alton Illinois to working class parents in the late 1960s. His father was a regular opener for Ike and Tina Turner at the time and had recorded at the legendary Stax Records in 1965. He also liked to brag about the fact that he was The Del-Rays first choice on keyboards and when they couldn’t get him they got Michael McDonald instead. His mother was a fiery-tempered Spanish\Apache mix who was prone to fits of rage, confusion, and passion.

The Reverend or “Rev.”as he is often called, got his musical education at an early age. Rev. didn’t really have his own music; he was fond of listening to what the old guys listened to…all that great old Jazz and Blues. He liked those stories and that music best.

The Reverend started honing his singing skills in grade school when he was selected by his music teacher to try out for The St. Louis County Children’s Choir, where he became a soprano soloist until his voice changed in 7th grade. Then he spent the next 9 years practicing his craft when he could (Mostly singing to the girls he dated, or strangers in bars), until finally in 1989, at the age of 21, he joined his first band…and the rest is history.

The Reverend has performed in clubs, theaters, stadiums, and bars from St. Louis to San Diego and from Alton to Denver. He recently resurfaced in St. Louis where he spent year regaining his skills while sitting in with bands like The Soulard Blues Band, Voodoo Blues Band, Rich McDonough and Rough Grooves, Hard Tale Blues Band, and of course The BagLunch Blues Band.

Look for him out and about. You never know where he'll pop up.