Ayron Jones and the Way: Frolik Before Sasquatch!

With the sun setting behind the Frolik Bar & Kitchen on the fifth floor of the Motif Hotel, Ayron Jones and the Way invigorated the crowd with their brand of intense blues-rock.  Possessing one of the most raw and passionate voices in the Seattle music scene, Ayron has gained quite a following in Seattle, and this gig was the day before they opened Sasquatch! Music Festival at the Gorge.

Wearing his signature #Filthy hat, Ayron was indeed putting together filthy licks on his guitar with extreme prejudice during songs such as “Baptized in Muddy Waters,” an ode to the Emerald City, and “Feedin’ From The Devil’s Hands.” He wore his emotions all over his face, as he made his way into the crowd during one of his many incendiary solos and his many thank-yous to the city and the people.

It takes a special band to confidently cover Jimi Hendrix, and that is what these boys from the Puget Sound did with “Hey Joe.” They then brought up Jamie Kilstein to accompany them on a rousing version of “Voodoo Chile,” which featured Kilstein and Jones dueling it out with their respective six strings.

The end of their set brought their version of the Ray Charles’ classic, “Georgia On My Mind,” and then his signature ballad, “My Love Remains.” With a subtle tribute to “Yellow Ledbetter,” this song encapsulated Ayron Jones’ passion and showcased his undeniable guitar skills.

At the end of the night, Ayron and his band packed up their instruments, and hugged and thanked the fans. They were humble and grateful for the chance to share their music. They headed east to Sasquatch, where I guarantee you they will put on a set with the same amount of passion for the thousands of Sasquatchians as they did for the hundred or so Seattleites.

Review and photos by Phillip Johnson