Jontavious Willis
“Blues is a community music — it always has been.”
Jontavious Willis
Photo by Frank Mathies.
Photo by Tobias Finkelstein.
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Blues raised in the Black church
Jontavious Willis is an African-American blues musician from the American South, raised up in the Black church. He embodies traditional blues music, along with gospel and other Black traditional musics, and has fostered relationship with elders of the genre like himself. Jontavious has also created festivals and other opportunities for Blues musicians and fans alike. He has been awarded many awards in his field, and is one of the leading young Bluesmen.
What does being a Taproot Fellow mean to you in your practice and community?
It means everything to me. This is why I do it; to be able to help. Blues is a community music — it always has been.
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