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Seattle band in running to bring the blues to The Boss

April 12, 2012 @ 3:17 pm (Updated: 9:28 am - 4/13/12 )

In a local music scene dominated by hip-hop, indie folk and hard rock, Seattle's Ayron Jones is somewhat of an anomaly; a young guy playing old school stuff.

"When we play, we definitely want to bring this sense of old school gospel and soul into our music, and you start to hear that sound and it's like you're back in church. So we want to embody that kind of soul and spirit of all that is blues," Jones says.

ayron

That spirit inspired him to enter his band Ayron Jones and the Way into the international battle of the bands "Hard Rock Rising."

In a competition dominated by more trendy types of music, Jones' unique channeling of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and the like stood out. The band beat out 11 others to take the Seattle regional, and the chance to represent the entire Northwest in the global competition.

"It definitely wasn't easy for us. There were some really, really talented bands," he says.

Now it gets even harder. Eighty-six bands from around the world are now vying for the top prize: A chance to open for Bruce Springsteen at London's Hyde Park in front of tens of thousands of people.

"It definitely is a dream gig for us. I wouldn't even call it a dream gig. It's part of our dream."

But the dream won't come easily. The winner will be chosen in part by online balloting, and the band is trailing in the voting.

So Ayron Jones and the Way are doing all they can to get their music out around town, playing everywhere and anywhere they can, often for free.

"We're at a Guitar Center, we got Lucid Jazz Lounge, we're going to be at the Vera Project Sunday, the Hard Rock. We're just going to be just about everywhere, so we're working hard right now."

And whether or not the band wins the coveted slot opening for The Boss, Jones says he's on a bigger mission.

"We really want to represent Seattle in everything that we do. And I really want people just to understand we're coming from a place that is pure heart and soul, but it's Seattle Soul."

-Josh Kerns/Seattle Sounds co-host

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Comments (5)


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  • C"mon Man wrote...
    Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi
    April 12, 2012 8:04 pm
    Both NJ residents claiming that their land is for farming,resulting is millions in tax waivers. Can you see either one of these posers actually working on a farm? All I see is two has been's trying to recapture past glory and avoid paying taxes.
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  • manninkt wrote...
    C''Mon Man...
    April 12, 2012 11:22 pm
    I'm not sure you've been listening to either one. When Springsteen sings about New Jersey, he's talking about the factory towns, the dock workers and things relating to NJ. Farming is everywhere, not just in the rural parts of the country. You sing what inspires you, not about what is just around you. I see you comment many negative things on here, and I would like to know why. Do you hav e a deep seeded grudge against anything not you or your opinnion?
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  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    Nice!........
    April 13, 2012 9:21 am
    I would like to see this band on a nice summer's evening, sitting on a nice lawn somewhere.....warm.....

    Definitely had me tapping my feet and doing the head-bob thingy....hahahahaha

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  • C"mon Man wrote...
    Isn't freedom of speech great?
    April 13, 2012 12:15 pm
    I do not care for the boss or Bon Jovi, I was merely pointing out how they dodge their tax bill by claiming to be farmers. As far as a poser who sing's about blue collar America, I think he is over rated. Each to his own. My post's go both ways. I like Jersey though.
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  • Oly80 wrote...
    good.
    April 13, 2012 1:41 pm
    finally, a break from the indie-pop and neo-new wave stuff that hipster in the area have been cranking out. this guy has actual talent, and i DO hear traces of Hendricks in his playing, definitely a welcome sound from the past...
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