Jake Aaron, a British guitarist and songwriter, has a musical journey that blends the warmth of folk with the storytelling spirit of rock and blues. Born and raised in London, his earliest sounds came from his grandfather, who crafted reed pipes by hand and gifted Jake a mouth organ. Although Jake took piano lessons at seven, it was at fourteen, when he picked up a guitar, that he truly found his instrument. From there, he began exploring every genre he could find—rock, ’80s synth, soul, classical, folk, jazz, and even heavy metal—all thanks to the well-worn records he scavenged from Camden Town’s Tape & Record Exchange.
Jake’s musical influences were shaped not only by his discoveries but also by unforgettable experiences as a young music lover. He slept outside Hammersmith Odeon for Iron Maiden tickets and came away with mementos like drumsticks from both Nikko McBrain and Tommy Lee. He still recalls the rush of seeing Ozzy Osbourne with Jake E. Lee just a few feet away. Meeting legends like BB King backstage and jamming with Huw Lloyd-Langton from Hawkwind added layers to Jake’s love for both rock and folk, but it was the intricate folk guitar stylings of Jerry Donahue and Jorma Kaukonen that most inspired his own acoustic work.
In 2015, Jake released his first EP of acoustic pieces, a raw and unpolished debut that nonetheless resonated with folk and indie reviewers, including Tim Carroll at FolkWords and Italian journalist Giancarlo Susanna. From there, his musical world grew. In 2018, he joined forces with remarkable musicians—Steve Lodder, Davide Mantovani, Marc Parnell, and Steve Waterman—who became regular collaborators. Their chemistry became evident on Jake’s single “Give Me Your Horse” and his debut album Fag Ash and Beer in 2019. In 2023, his album Always Seeking featured the vocals of Kate Kurdyak and guitar solos by John Etheridge, adding depth to his folk and jazz-inspired compositions.
His latest single, “Watery Moon,” released on October 25, gives a preview of the album he has in store for 2025. With its opening chords, Jake was reminded of the doo-wop ballads of the 1950s, infusing the piece with a wistful melodrama. The nostalgic feel of the track was something he enjoyed weaving into both the lyrics and melody. Alongside Lodder on piano and Hammond, Mantovani on double bass, and Parnell on drums, the group captured the track’s essence in a single take, engineered by the talented Kenny Jones. “Watery Moon” glows with the same warmth and meticulous artistry Jake has cultivated through years of diverse influence, experience, and collaboration. It’s a reflection of his journey from a kid with a mouth organ to a guitarist whose work resonates with folk, rock, and jazz fans alike.
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Website: https://jakeaaron.com/