Jerron Paxton: “Blues is part of my heritage”

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On February 14th, Jerron Paxton stopped by Le Fil in Saint-Étienne for an enchanting concert. In partnership with Ti and Bo, we had the chance to meet this guardian of a musical heritage that he brings to life with a rare authenticity in the current blues artist landscape.

Watch the interview in video

Blues as Heritage

From the very first notes, Jerron Paxton takes his audience back several decades, to a time when blues, ragtime, and African American folk music reigned supreme. However, for him, this music is not a discovery, but a heritage deeply rooted in him:

“I didn’t discover this music. It’s part of my cultural heritage. It’s the music I was born into, the one that echoed in the house. I grew up listening to these sounds in the voices of my family and the people around me.”

Born in Los Angeles in 1989 to a family with Louisiana roots, Jerron Paxton grew up hearing the sounds that shaped his musical identity. A multi-instrumentalist, he excels at the banjo, fiddle, guitar, piano, and harmonica, with a skill and ease that commands admiration.

Between Tradition and Modernity

With his latest album Things Done Changed, released by Smithsonian Folkways, Jerron Paxton once again demonstrates his attachment to tradition while infusing his art with contemporary energy. But for him, this balance isn’t about recording techniques, it’s about the soul of the music. :

“The contemporary aspect of the album mixed with tradition has very little to do with how it was recorded. It’s more about the music itself. It reflects a person who lives in the 21st century but has a very personal aesthetic, one that they hold dear and appreciate more than others. It’s within this aesthetic that I tend to create my art.”

Jerron Paxton also adapts his playing and instruments according to the mood of the moment, always seeking the best way to express his emotion:

“It depends on my mood, not just the song. Each instrument evokes a different atmosphere. Sometimes, a specific emotion is tied to the particular timbre of an instrument, which makes the choice easier. But sometimes, it’s harder, because you have to find the right voice!”

In a world where music tends to become standardized, Jerron Paxton continues his journey with a precious and delightful authenticity. His performance at Le Fil in Saint-Étienne confirmed it: he is truly one of the greatest troubadours of blues and ragtime in today’s blues scene!

The concert clips

In partnership with Ti and Bo, check out the concert clips!