The Freddy Jones Band

Continuing in the tradition of acts like the Allman Brothers Band, veteran roots rockers the Freddy Jones Band add touches of blues and jazz reflecting their Chicago heritage. Fronted by vocalist/guitarist Marty Lloyd, the group's grooving, melodic style -- and flair for jamming -- was already apparent on 1992's self-titled debut album, and they scored a hit with "In a Daydream" from 1993's country- and folk-tinged Waiting for the Night. Their dedication to taking their music to their fans made itself known on the road stories of 1995's North Avenue Wake Up Call and their first concert album, 1999's Mile High Live. Though touring dominated their schedule from the late 2000s onward, the Freddy Jones Band returned to the studio for albums such as 2015's Never Change as well as singles like 2023's "Mirror Ball" and a 30th anniversary version of "In a Daydream." Lloyd founded the Freddy Jones Band in the early '90s, with the group's self-titled debut album appearing on the Poor Boys label in 1992. The Freddy Jones Band earned strong reviews as well as comparisons to Santana and Blues Traveler, and sold over 10,000 copies. The band signed to Capricorn Records for their next full-length, 1993's Waiting for the Night. Produced by Grammy-winning producer Justin Niebank and adding elements of folk and country to the band's sound, the album included the singles "Take the Time," "One World," and "In a Daydream," which reached number 37 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. In the wake of Waiting for the Night's success, Capricorn reissued The Freddy Jones Band with bonus material. The Freddy Jones Band's steady touring inspired the songs on their third album, 1995's North Avenue Wake Up Call. Once again produced by Niebank, its songs about a working band on the road showcased the skills the group had sharpened in concert. The album reached number 186 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, while the single "Waitress" received radio airplay. The Freddy Jones Band returned with 1997's Lucid, a jazz-inflected set that peaked at 19 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Two years later, the group released their first official live album, Mile High Live. In 2001, the band went on hiatus, resurfacing in 2006 with live dates and the compilation High Spirits, which gathered their work from 1993 to 1995. They started recording again in 2008, and songs from these sessions appeared on the following year's live/studio hybrid album Time Well Wasted. After several years of gigging, the Freddy Jones Band returned to the studio with Niebank for 2015's Never Change, their first album to feature former Samples bassist Rich Ross. They continued to record in the early 2020s, issuing the 2021 single "Connected" and commemorating the 30th anniversary of "In a Daydream" with a remake of the song in 2022. Early 2023 saw the release of another single, "Mirror Ball."
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