SPOONFUL NIGHT FINAL POSTER
Jontavious Willis

Jontavious Willis

Jontavious Willis is resolved in his mission: to reinvigorate today’s Blues with the spirit of the past. Inspired by a time when the Blues were plentiful and rhythm reigned supreme, Jontavious leverages his unique sound—a synthesis of his Georgia heritage and reverence for traditional Blues—to get the world dancing again. A Grammy-nominated musician and songwriter, Jontavious performs original, toe-tapping tunes in the style of Delta, Piedmont, Texas, and Gospel Blues. Dynamic vocals, technical prowess, and an abundance of Southern charm keep Jontavious sending jolts of vitality through the Blues community.

Jontavious was born and raised in rural Georgia, an environment with deep cultural roots that provides the inspiration he has continuously drawn upon to create his unique sound. He spent much of his childhood singing Gospel music at the Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church with his grandfather, which provided him his first setting to perform for an audience. An early phenom, his passion for the Blues was sparked at age 14 when he came across a YouTube video of Muddy Waters playing “Hoochie Coochie Man.” He achieved widespread acclaim when living legend Taj Mahal invited Jontavious to accompany him onstage in 2015, with Taj describing him as his “Wonderboy.” Jontavious was invited to open for Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ during their joint TajMo tour in 2018, giving him an opportunity to present his work on a national stage.

Blue Metamorphosis, his acoustic debut album released in 2016, garnered rave reviews in Living Blues and Blues & Rhythm and won the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge 2018 Award for Best Self-Produced CD. His Grammy-nominated sophomore album, Spectacular Class, sees Jontavious survey an array of Blues styles with lively ensemble performances.

His upcoming album, signed with Strolling Bones Records, is a testament to his love for songwriting. With solo tracks as well as duo, trio, and full band works, he articulates a totally original take on traditional Blues.

Jontavious features prominently in shows and festivals across the world, sharing his unique blend of time-honored yet modern, intellectual yet danceable Blues with all.

Eilen Jewell

Eilen Jewell

Twenty years of touring. Twenty years on the road. “My own weariness amazes me,” as Bob Dylan sings to his Tambourine Man. I feel ya, Bob. But the depth of my gratitude amazes me too. I’m humbled by the countless gifts of fanship and friendship throughout the past two decades. I would say it’s been a dream, except I never could have dreamt up most of it. I’ve shared stages and drinks in hotel rooms with my heroes, met children named after me, made friendships rooted in music from Auckland to the Arctic Circle, performed on trains, on boats, for Wall Street men in tuxes and for the muddy denizens of a musk ox farm… Not bad for a lonely rambler girl from Idaho. It was always a nebulous gut feeling that got the show on the road, and so it is now but in reverse. A gut feeling is telling me to get off the road, at least for now. After 2026, touring and I will part ways for a year, maybe two, maybe fifty…it’s hard to say at this point. I do hope to keep performing in some capacity. Maybe come see me of a weeknight in some Boise dive, playing for potatoes? Or strumming the guitar for a handful of fellow meditators as we contemplate the Dharma and the temporary nature of all things. I need some time for a new exploration, to try to be the kind of mother I want to be, and to stop moving long enough “to let my soul catch up with me,” as my grandma Jeanne used to say. Who knows what will come of that? Maybe on some jingle-jangle morning I’ll come following the next great dream, rested and ready to go anywhere. But until then, suffice it to say…thank you. Thank you, thank you to everyone who carried me forward all this way and in all your different ways. With love, gratitude, and solidarity in music always, –Eilen

The Country Club

The Country Club

The Country Club is a 5 piece band from Boise, Idaho playing original and traditional music from the front lines of the nostalgia wars. While their sound is clearly drawn from the well of Western swing, honky tonk, and bluegrass, it doesn’t stop there. From the clean and pristine sound of Katrina Nicolayeff and Jonah Shue’s twin fiddles to the dark and dirty twang of Dave Manion’s guitars, the sound of the Country Club is as at home on the range or in a barn, as it is downtown, in the club or a saloon.

Tater Patch

Tater Patch

Comprised of seasoned local pickers, Tater Patch delivers a unique sound combining the melodic drive of old-time music with the harmony vocal traditions of bluegrass. Featuring Dave Manion (dobro/guitar), Beth Mason (upright bass), Tate Mason (banjo), and a double fiddle attack from Justin Moore and Adam Straubinger, the band brings a raucous and frenetic energy to every performance.