Biography

Cameron Jones is a guitarist, composer, festival director and educator. With his Selmer-style guitar, he harnesses the vibrancy of authentic manouche jazz. He uses percussive guitar rhythms to complement bright, expressive melodies.

A manouche jazz storyteller

Five annual pilgrimages across Europe saw Jones returning to the source of the genre. There, he traced the footsteps of jazz legend Django Reinhardt. It earned him the finest training any manouche guitarist could hope for: mentorship from the late Reinhardt’s family and friends.

The result is a rare depth of authenticity that Jones brings to his repertoire in Australia. He introduces songs with tales of original time and place. In the true spirit of gypsy jazz, nothing about Jones’ performances is repetitive. Audiences listen in anticipation as he follows each piece in the moment. It’s dangerously spontaneous.

'I am most impressed with his understanding and execution of the Gypsy Swing style.’

Hank B Marvin | Lead guitarist for The Shadows

Influences and Collaborators

Jones studied manouche jazz abroad with French and Dutch masters including Fapy Lafertin, Paulus Schäfer, Romino Grundhotz, Nous’che Rosenberg, David Reinhardt (grandson of Django Reinhardt), Samy Daussat and Stephane Wremble.

He’s toured and performed with European artists Robin Nolan (UK), Lollo Meier (Netherlands) and Irene Ypenberg (Netherlands).

In Australia, Jones thrives on gigs with like-minded musicians. He’s a member of Spyglass Gypsies and Gadjo Guitars and has performed with Daniel Weltlinger, Ian Date and Ewan McKenzie.

Current Activity

Jones’ debut album, The Waterfall Way, is inspired by a street in Bellingen, New South Wales. Memories there of discovering the gold of guitar, jazz and community seep into the down-to-earth music tracks.

Jones’ next album is due for release mid-2022.

OzManouche is a festival held every year at the iconic Brisbane Jazz Club. As its creative director, Jones wants to see more Australians enjoy the energy of manouche jazz. His vision is to provide a welcoming and inclusive space for musicians at every level, just as the original manouche clan did.

‘Cameron can really swing and is masterfully representing Django’s music down under.’

Robin Nolan | World-renowned gypsy jazz guitarist