JL Stiles August 24, 2008

JL Stiles will be performing with his band at The Mystic Theater, opening for the Bodeans, on what promises to be a festivity of finger style guitar, great singing and song writing.

(See Stiles website for the full schedule: http://www.jlstiles.com)
(Venue: http://www.mcnears.com/)

JL Stiles has an amazing story: He goes to New Orleans to enter the PhD program in Mathematics at Tulane on a full scholarship and stipend and ends up becoming a ragtime and blues finger picker and singer songwriter instead of doing his dissertation. Go figure. The voice coming out of JL Stiles and his image hardly match a pocket-protector wearing brainiac we stereotype mathematicians to be. Though he is not an avid follower of Astrology, he certainly fits his Gemini birth date.
Considering JL Stiles' new offering, "Landmark" EP, his fourth release after three previous full-length CD releases, it is impossible to picture him as a City College Mathematics instructor, a role he sometimes takes on part time.

The physicality in his guitar playing and powerful voice, reminiscent of an old blues singer, are striking elements he seamlessly infuses in the contemporary folk vein, yet he retains a tenderness and gentleness that is inviting and accessible. The EP also features some great Bay Area talent, including the San Francisco luminary, Sean Hayes, who sings a call and response with JL Stiles on the epic "Rushing For the Gates." The Dylanesque Stiles, with his harmonica rack and provocative lyrics, shares a similar proclivity of The Bard toward the old bluesmen. Stiles-by-musical-trade, Bay Area ragtime finger picker and singer, is a devout follower of Blind Blake and Jimmy Reed, extraordinary bluesmen who had a knack for the catchy, sweet and accessible. It is no wonder JL Stiles has furthered this approach by reaching out of the blues genre and into his own territory of folk and pop-roots. This can be felt in all of JL Stiles previous recordings, including "Solo Sessions" and "Land of the Plenty", both produced by JL Stiles, and featuring all-original songs.
As a performer, JL played solo for a crowd of thousands, opening for Etta James, and has often spellbound audiences, opening for the likes of Keb’ Mo’ and lately, Leon Redbone. Stiles exudes a confidence and comfort which invites his listeners, sometimes inducing them to clap along or sing his memorable hooks.

http://www.jlstiles.com

Official Website: http://www.jlstiles.com