Blues Singer & Harmonica Player
Paul was the original front-man with the group Manfred Mann, and co-composer of the signature tune for Ready, Steady, Go! He was at the forefront of the 60s pop revolution, with million-selling records alongside the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Animals. Nowadays he shares the lead with Mike D’Abo in The Manfreds – along with most of the original members of Manfred Mann – touring extensively both in the UK and abroad. Dates can be found on The Manfreds’ website.
In 1966 he turned to acting, first in films and television, and then on stage. His films include Privilege and The Committee. His television credits include Z Cars, Space 1999 and The Sweeney. In the 80s he hosted Weekend for Granada and A Plus 4 on Channel Four. More recently he starred in four series of the children’s favourite, Uncle Jack. At the Royal National Theatre he starred in The Beggar’s Opera and Guys And Dolls, and for the RSC, Kiss Me Kate. Other West End shows include Conduct Unbecoming (also on Broadway), Cats, and Pump Boys and Dinettes. He has worked with directors such as Sir Richard Eyre, Peter Gill and Toby Robertson. His numerous gold albums include one for the original recording of Evita.
In 1979 he founded The Blues Band, which helped kick start another boom in Blues music. The band has now recorded “about 17 albums, not counting compilations and repackagings”; details and dates can be found on The Blues Band’s website. On radio, he worked for five years on the BBC’s World Service, and has broadcast on all five BBC Radio networks as musician, DJ, actor, critic and Desert Island Discs castaway; he also contributed a set of questions to Mastermind.
Paul is the President of the The National Harmonica League and he has recorded with a range of artists including Tina Turner, Percy Sledge, Memphis Slim, Katie Melua and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He has written and/or played music for films, TV programmes and commercials, and his songs have been recorded by a varied bunch, including early Steppenwolf, Helen Shapiro and Ten Years After.
Paul was a BASCA Gold Badge-winner in 1996. He is a Doctor of Music (University Of Portsmouth) and in 2001 received the famous red book for This Is Your Life.
Paul Jones, the legendary Manfred Mann frontman has only released two solo albums in the past 30 years and here’s the second – Suddenly I Like It. Paul’s produced and backed by the same team as 2009’s Starting All Over Again. Paul’s hits with Manfred Mann include Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Sha La La, Pretty Flamingo, Come Tomorrow, 5-4-3-2-1 (the Ready Steady Go TV theme), Oh No Not My Baby, If You Gotta Go – Go Now and The One In The Middle. Paul has had a BBC2 radio blues program for decades and he tours the world both with The Manfreds and The Blues Band.
Once again produced by Carla Olson Paul’s second solo album Suddenly I Like It is a great mix of classic and original blues & soul songs. Special guests on this album include Joe Bonamassa (lead guitar on Beggar For The Blues) and Jools Holland (piano/hammond B3 on Mountain Boogie, Trouble in Mind and Remember Me.)
Paul Jones is constantly on the road with The Manfreds and The Blues Band.
Website: http://www.pauljones.eu
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJOKVjR-ZtoH214RNP5td-39fLKbBe9nt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BBCR2PaulJones