District 142

Few if any have done as much in 21st century rock-and-roll than Seattle-born solo artist Ayron Jones, who already boasts two No. 1 rock hits on the U.S. Billboard charts in just three years. In total, Jones, who also has chart-toppers in countries like France and Germany, has released seven top-40 hits, including the passionate track, “Take Me Away,” the weeping, “Mercy,” and vulnerable rocker, “Blood in the Water.” “I wasn’t born into this,” says Jones, who grew up forging his own path in Seattle. “I didn’t have the luxury of having a legacy to follow.” So, he created his own, one riff at a time. In a way, it’s all happened so quickly. In another, it’s a lifetime that’s manifested his success. From Seattle clubs to shoulder-to-shoulder with rock’s elite, the iHeart Radio Award-nominated Jones has toured with bands like Shinedown and Staind, played shows with Duff McKagan and members of Pearl Jam. Stars aligned both literally and figuratively for Jones, constellations of songs gave way to more. “Sheer will and determination has gotten us here,” he says. That and a little hometown love. Over the years, Seattle has helped raise Jones. “The Hendrix family is the reason I’m here,” he says of those related to the “Purple Haze” rocker. For it was Jimi’s kin who worked with Jones over the years, recruiting him for shows and collaborating with him onstage. The city’s iconic rap artist Sir Mix a Lot produced his debut 2013 record, Dream. Grunge icons Jack Endino and Barrett Martin (of Screaming Trees and Mad Season) produced his 2017 sophomore LP, Audio Paint Job. Those led Jones to sign with the vaunted record label, Big Machine, where he released his two major label albums, Child of the State in 2021 and Chronicles of the Kid in 2023. “I didn’t dream this dream to blend into the crowd,” Jones says. “I came out here to make a statement. That’s what a rock star is.” And that’s exactly what he’s accomplished. Jones and his band have opened for big name groups, including The Rolling Stones on two occasions. First in Detroit and then, upon request from Mick Jagger, in Paris. Other notable bands include Guns N Roses, Shinedown, Koe Wetzel, Halestorm & Daughtry. For Jones, who came up known as “the Kid,” playing in every local music club the Pacific Northwest had to offer, this is the American Dream personified. Now, it’s time for the next step in Jones’ prominent evolution. Supported by his wife Amy and five children, Jones is helping to light the way forward for rock and roll music, working on new music with Seattle stars like Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron and Guns N’ Roses’ McKagan. In a world where many have pronounced the death of the genre, Jones is Lazarus, rising up.

Along with the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Prince and Hendrix, Jones is part of a lineage of songwriters and performers who are taking the origins of rock music and making it something new again. “I’m a Black American playing rock-and-roll for people who come from a different side of life,” he says. Indeed, Jones is one of the few Black rock-and-roll solo artists to ever top the Billboard charts. Persevering in adversity. Remaining grounded in success. That is Ayron Jones.