Dennis Jones brings the blues to the Carson City concert series

Dennis Jones will perform at the Levitt AMP Concert Series in Carson City on July 7.

Leave the blues behind with Dennis Jones on Saturday. The Los Angeles blues musician brings his band to Carson City as part of the free Levitt AMP Concert Series hosted by the Brewery Arts Center.

This is Jones’ first time playing on the show, but the band has played the area many times since forming in 2003. Jones said some of his fans will travel from around the area for the show and he will be showcasing new music.

“We’re really looking forward to gaining new fans and hope people like what we do,” he said.

He describes his music as blues that you can rock to.

“It’s just American music, really – blues, funk, rock,” he said. “I like to write about things that I know and things that I experience and just observe. At the end of the day, it’s blues.”

When Jones first began touring, the band opened for Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, George Thorogood and Tinsley Ellis, and later the band began to get headlining gigs. Since then, the band has played at many notable blues festivals and shows across the United States and around the world.

THE BAND

The band performs as a trio, with Jones playing guitar and onstage playing bass and drums. Jones said he really enjoys having only three members on stage.

“There are a lot of trios that I’m just drawn to,” he said. “Rush, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Joe Bonamassa – that’s always been my favorite music. I’ve played with horns and keyboards, but it’s about the power of the three.”

Jones is joined by Rob McDonald on bass and Raymond Johnson on drums. Jones has had a long-standing relationship with Johnson, with whom he has played since around 2013.

“I liked his charisma and personality,” Jones said.

McDonald only joined the band two and a half years ago. McDonald originally wanted to play in other bands, but when Jones needed a bass player, things worked out and McDonald joined.

“I feel like this is the best band I’ve ever heard,” he said. “When everyone plays their instrument well, it’s very satisfying to my ears and I enjoy it.”

He said that the band not only plays very well together, but also gets along well offstage and has great personalities.

NEW ALBUM

Jones released his album “About Time” on June 28 and will debut the new songs in Carson City. It is his eighth release on Blue Rock Records, Jones’ personal record label. He said he can’t wait to share the new music with new people and give his older fans something new that shows his evolution.

“I’m really excited about it,” he said. “It keeps me going. It keeps my fans interested in what I’m doing and you get to see me grow as a person and as a musician.”

He said he focuses heavily on the lyrics but leaves room for people to interpret their own meanings.

“Some songs are obvious,” he said. “Some you really have to think about and figure out how to apply them to your own life or your own experiences.”

Jones’ goal is to build a connection with his fans and offer them a change of pace from their everyday lives. He said the biggest compliments come from fans who come up to him after a show and tell him the music really spoke to them.

“They come up to me and say, ‘It feels like you wrote this for me; it’s exactly what I’m going through right now’ – and that’s the best compliment you can give,” he said.

WHEN YOU GO

WHAT: Dennis Jones with opening act Moxy Ruckus at the Levitt AMP concert series at the Brewery Art Center

WHERE: 449 W. King St. at the Brewery Arts Center

WHEN: Saturday, July 7, 7 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: breweryarts.org; www.dennisjonescentral.com