Jay Hooks

Jay Hooks (born January 10, 1959) is an American Texas blues and electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter.[1] After gaining national exposure playing in Lavelle White's backing ensemble, Hooks has released three albums to date, appeared on German television and undertaken various tours, including one in Europe.

Jay Hooks
Born (1959-01-10) January 10, 1959
Houston, Texas, United States
GenresTexas blues, electric blues, blues rock[1][2]
Occupation(s)Guitarist, singer, songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals
Years activeLate 1970s–present
LabelsSunburst Records, Provogue Records

Life and career

Hooks was born in Houston, Texas, United States. He found early musical inspiration from the recordings of fellow Texans Albert Collins, Billy Gibbons and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Hooks played in the bars of Houston, before being asked to play in Lavelle White's backing band.[1] He played on her national tours in 1996,[3] before forming his own band and going solo the following year.[1] In 1997, Hooks recorded his debut album, Hooked Up, at SugarHill Recording Studios in Houston.[4] AllMusic noted that Hooked Up contained "a collection of gritty, rock-tinged electric blues numbers that didn't stray far outside the conventions that his aforementioned guitar heroes had brought into an international spotlight."[1]

The exposure the recording gave Hooks led to a European record executive, Ed van Zyl, offering Hooks a recording contract with the Dutch-based record label Provogue Records. The resulting self-titled album was made under the tutelage of record producer Ben Elliott. Jay Hooks was recorded by the trio of Hooks (guitars, vocals), Marie Del Prete (bass) and Joe Frenchwood (drums).[5] It was released in late 2000.[1] His Texas rock sound was well received by the critics.[6] At the time Hooks was quoted as saying "... I just plug it in and turn it all up, that's what I do..." In 2001, Hooks toured across Europe.[7]

Jerry Gaskill played the drums on Hooks next release, the Red Line album (2002), which was also released by Provogue.[8] Red Line mostly contained songs written by Hooks, apart from his cover of Jimi Hendrix's track, "Freedom".[9] In 2003, Hooks played live on the German television show, Rockpalast.[10]

Hooks performed at the Continental Club in Austin, Texas early in 2015.[11] In April that year, he appeared at the House of Blues in Houston.[12]

Discography
YearTitleRecord label
1997Hooked UpSunburst Records
2000Jay HooksProvogue Records
2002Red LineProvogue Records

[2][13]

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See also

References
  1. "Jay Hooks – Biography & History – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  2. "Jay Hooks". Discogs.com. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  3. "Jay HOOKS". W3.enternet.hu. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  4. "Jay Hooks – Hooked Up". Discogs.com. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  5. "Jay Hooks: Jay Hooks". All About Jazz. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  6. "Jay Hooks – Blues Rockers". Bluesrockers.ws. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  7. "Hooked on Music – Interviews – Jay Hooks". Hooked-on-music.de. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  8. "Jay Hooks CD Review". Mnblues.com. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  9. "Get Ready to ROCK! Review of CD album by Jay Hooks called Red Line". Getreadytorock.com. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  10. "Jay Hooks at Hotburrito's Bluesrockencyclopedia". Hotburrito.nl. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  11. "Jay Hooks – Live The Continental Club 2.7.2015". YouTube. February 11, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  12. "We Were Wolves @ House of Blues Houston". Bandsintown. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  13. "Jay Hooks – Album Discography – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
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