Singer, actor, harmonicist, radio personality and television presenter. Paul first came to prominence in the early 1960s as the original lead singer and harmonica player of the rock band Manfred Mann  with whom he had several hit records including two No 1s “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” and “Pretty Flamingo” . After leaving the band, he embarked on a a solo career both as a musician and actor his first starring role being in the film Privilege in 1967. He presented The Blues Show on BBC Radio 2 for thirty-two years, from 1986 to 2018, and continues to perform alongside former Manfred Mann bandmates in the Blues Band and The Manfreds.

He was born Paul Pond in Portsmouth in 1942  and as “P.P. Jones” he performed duets with Elmo Lewis (better known as a future founder member of the Rolling Stones, Brian Jones) at the Ealing Club, home of Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, whose singers included Long John Baldry and Mick Jagger. He was asked by Keith Richards and Brian Jones to be the lead singer of a group they were forming, but he declined instead becoming the vocalist and harmonica player of Manfred Mann. 

Although his solo career in music was never as successful as he enjoyed with Manfred Mann , his acting took off with TV roles in the 1970s including  The Protectors, Space: 1999, & The Sweeney . As a result he started to take on roles in stage musicals such as Evita ,  Great Big Groovy Horse, a rock opera based on the story of the Trojan War and starred as Sir Francis Drake in the musical Drake’s Dream .In  1982, Jones took the lead role in the National Theatre production of Guys and Dolls & then led the same cast as Macheath in The Beggar’s Opera . Later in the 80s as Fred/Petruchio in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s  production of Kiss Me Kate. TV appearances continued with him presenting the BBC1 children’s quiz Beat the Teacher in the 1980s , and in the 90s he starred as the title character of Uncle Jack, a children’s series on BBC 1.

On radio 2 in 1986 he started presenting The Blues Show, in which he became a fixture for 32 years.

In 1979, he founded The Blues Band and is a member of the Manfreds, a group comprising several original members of Manfred Mann . 

On 4 May 2009 Jones playing harmonica featured in one number during the Joe Bonamassa gig  at the Royal Albert Hall . Later that month Jones played harmonica, in “I’m Your Kingpin” by the Nick Vernier Band and also featured in two numberson the Nick Vernier Band’s ‘Sessions’ album.

In 2015, he released the album Suddenly I Like It, with special guests Joe Bonamassa and Jools Holland.

Paul Jones is currently the president of the National Harmonica League and was awarded “harmonica player of the year” in the British Blues Awards of 2010, 2011 and 2012, as well as Blues Broadcaster of the year and a Lifetime Achievement award in 2011. What a man , what a career , and still touring and recording !