A modern Renaissance man, Aristotle Jones, also known as the “Appalachian Soul Man,” is a singer, radio personality and a nationally recognized Black Appalachian Storyteller Fellow. Now he is bringing his Amazing Appalachian Soul Band to Wheeling, WV on Friday, January 26. This versatile unit features a vibrant horn section, percussive guitar, jangly piano, and a lock tight rhythm section. Get ready for a lively showcase of soulful music born in the hills and holler of Appalachia. Tickets are $20 and are available for purchase at waterfronthall.com.
Currently based out of Osage, West Virginia a small town just North of Morgantown, Jones, with either his 8-piece Amazing Appalachian Soul Band or as an acoustic storyteller performs between 75-100 original music shows a year in WV, Western PA, Eastern OH, and MD as well as venues in NC, SC, TN and NYC.
Appalachian Soul music is a blend of the folk, soul, blues, gospel, doo-wop, and rhythm & blues genres. Early roots of each of those genres can be traced back to peoples of various ethnic and racial backgrounds who lived in rural communities in America. Many of those communities made up the spine of the “Chit’lin Circuit” which had several venues and destinations throughout West Virginia during the coal boom of the early and mid-20th century.
Jones is a descendant of some of those coal miners and farmers who made their way to West Virginia from Alabama during the Great Migration and his original music is based on the love stories that were the catalyst for that faith-infused journey. Jones’ songs reflect his love for his family, community, the Mountain State, and a higher power. He communicates that love through his role as a culture bearer by continuing the legacy of soulful folk music. Jones’ recently released album “Mountain Doo-Wop & The Streets of Osage” gained him national recognition for storytelling.
In the tradition of the rural Juke Joints and 1950s and 60s folk concerts, Jones and his band will feature a stand-up comedian as the opening act. Youngstown, Ohio-based comedian Jesse Pimpinella, has been featured on Amazon, Roku, CBS, iHeart Radio, BuzzFeed, and the CW. Pimpinella will be bringing his witty humor to Waterfront Hall for the first time warming up the stage for the Appalachian Soul Man on Friday, January 26, 2024.
Show starts at 8:30 pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online or at the door. Learn more about Appalachian Soul Man-Aristotle Jones at aristotlejones.com.