ABOUT JELLY


Photo courtesy of Ismael Quintanilla III

Claiming Texas home for the last nine years and originally from Asheville, North Carolina, Jonathan “Jelly” Ellington, has been courageously crafting his unique sound as an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter since first picking up the guitar at age seven. An electrifying fusion of impassioned vocals and vivacious guitar playing, Jelly delivers his Blues-centric Rock and Roll by way of his dynamic stage presence and evident classical training. The inspirational spark was first ignited at a young age after seeing the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. Since that moment, Jelly picked up the nylon string classical guitar and studied and trained only classical music until the age of 14, when he was introduced to the electrifying musical prowess of Led Zeppelin. The segue between Jimmy Page’s classical approach to songwriting and guitar playing is what led to Jelly’s passion for going full electric Rock and Roll. Attending hometown hero Warren Haynes’ Annual Christmas Jams in Asheville, with his Dad, he became even more influenced to meticulously craft his musical destiny.

Making the move to the Lone Star State in 2011 with a Rock band call Treetop Sailors, Jelly authentically incorporated himself into the Austin music scene playing as a sideman for various local rock bands, and even touring with a few Country acts out of both Austin and Nashville. Since 2016, Jelly decided to fully hone into creating a name for his own sound, dedicating his time and energy to his solo pursuits. Having shared the stage with Grammy Award-winning artists and Texan icons alike, there is no wonder he was voted into the Top 10 “Best Guitarists” in the Austin Chronicle’s Austin Music Awards in both 2018 and 2019.

Following his latest album Not All Who Wander Are Lost, Jelly is currently fresh off a North American tour promoting the release of his latest work the Carolina EP, which is genuine testament to the finesse of this craftsmanship over the year. Jelly and his band (composed Alex Geismar on drums, Stefan Ringer on bass, and Cole Gramling on piano, clavinet, and organ) have birthed a truly delectable union between Texas Blues and his Appalachian roots. Jelly Ellington says it best himself “My mission with this project is to carry the torch of Rock and Roll, particularly guitar-driven Blues Rock. To take what I have learned from classic rock bands and guitarists, and push it forward with my own spin on it to continue making it relevant in today's age. I want to inspire the younger generation of guitar players and musicians to play guitar, start bands, get off their phones, and make people feel happy and liberated with their music.” Check out the spirited Blues-Rock band on all streaming platforms, which includes Jelly's first ever live EP recorded in Austin, TX at the legendary Antone's nightclub, available on all streaming platforms and featured in HD video exclusively on Jelly’s Youtube Channel.


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Jelly Ellington has one foot in the future and one in the past, straddling the present with a haunted, soulful blues rock that cuts to the bone.
— Alan Paul, 2x NY Times Best-selling Author of One Way Out & Texas Flood
Groove, guts and grit
— GuitarPlayer
Jelly Ellington is a classic guitarist in every sense of the word.
— Kelly Donnelly Mixer, Engineer & Producer for Eric Johnson, Mike Stern, Oz Noy, Doyle Dykes
Jelly Ellington is helming the rock and roll sound for the season.
— Punchland
Jelly Ellington continues to impress and evolve with his new sounds while staying true to his rock roots.
— Patrick Davis, 512 Radio

PRESS

Texas Blues Rocker Jelly Ellington’s Epic “Stand Back” Music Video // July 2022 // GuitarPlayer
Jelly, Stefan, and Michael Lemmo at Norman’s Rare Guitars // January 2022 // Norman’s Rare Guitars
Jelly Ellington Finesses Blues-Rock Sound with New EP “Not All Who Wander Are Lost” // November 2021 // Compose Yourself Magazine
Jelly Ellington and Michael Lemmo at Norman's Rare Guitars // September 2021 // Norman’s Rare Guitars
Jelly Ellington playing Hot Summer Nights Festival, Austin, TX // August 2021 // Red River Cultural District
Jelly Ellington Performs Music on Main Concert Series // June 2021 // The Austin American Statesman
Jelly plays ‘Bullet & A Kiss’ with Robert Wagner on 512 Studios Live // January 2021 // The CW Austin
Jelly Ellington Talks #SAVEOURSTAGES with Amy Edwards on Austin 360 Radio // December 2020 // Austin 360 Radio
Jelly Ellington Talks 8th Annual Xmas Jam Benefit and New Single Release on 512 Radio // November 2020 // 105.3 - The Bat
SIMS Lounge Presents Sofa Sessions with Jelly Ellington // May 2020 // SIMS Foundation
Jelly Ellington talks The Last Dance and NBA on Insinserious // May 2020 // 104.9 - The Horn
Jelly Ellington Plays 512 Radio & Friends Benefit // May 2020 // 105.3 - The Bat
Jelly Ellington Talks 7th Annual Xmas Jam benefit on 512 Radio // December 2019 // 105.3 - The Bat
Jelly Ellington on Three Beers and a Whiskey // November 2019 // Three Beers and a Whiskey
Jelly Ellington on Local Licks // September 2019 // KLBJ 93.7 - The Rock Austin
Jelly Ellington talks Butterfly EP Release on 512 Radio // July 2019 // 105.3 - The Bat
Jelly Ellington, Jace Cadle from The Texas KGB, and Lester Singleton from Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery on Insinserious //
July 2019 // 104.9 - The Horn
Jelly Ellington Talks Debut Night of Monthly “Jelly’s Guitar Jam” on 512 Radio // May 2019 // 105.3 - The Bat
Discovery: Jelly Ellington, Sun and The Sea Review // May 2019 // York Calling, UK
Jelly Ellington Acoustic on Music Firsthand’s Comedians Interviewing Musicians // April 2019 // Comedians Interviewing Musicians
Jelly Ellington to Play with Overlord Collective at SXSW Austin Music Awards Showcase // March 2019 // SXSW
Austin Music Awards - Best Austin Musicians 2018-2019 // March 2019 // Austin Chronicle
Jelly Ellington to Play with Overlord Collective at 37th Austin Music Awards at ACL Live // February 2019 // Austin Chronicle
Taste Test Edition #16 Review: Jelly Ellington - Butterfly // January 2019 // B-Sides and Badlands
Review: Jelly Ellington - Butterfly // January 2019 // Keep Walking Music
415 Indie Fascination // December 2018 // comeherefloyd
Jelly Ellington Talks 6th Annual Xmas Jam Benefit in Austin on 512 Radio // December 2018 // 105.3 - The Bat
Austin Music Movement Surges Forward, One Road Austin // November 2018 // TODO Austin
Jelly Ellington Austin Music Live Taping // Watch Here // October 2018 // Austin Music Live Channel, Xumo TV
Jelly Ellington on Local Licks  // October 2018 // KLBJ 93.7 - The Rock Austin
Jelly Ellington on 512 Radio // August 2018 // 105.3 - The Bat
Jelly Ellington and Patrick Davis of 512 Radio on CobraCast Podcast #143 // June 2018 // The CobraCast Radio & Podcast
Josh Ross of Black Heart Saints & Jelly Ellington on 512 Radio // June 2018 // 105.3 - The Bat
Jelly Ellington on 512 Radio // May 2018 // 105.3 - The Bat
Brownswood Basement: Gilles Peterson in Austin, Jelly Ellington with Sonnymoon // Listen: Brownswood Bubblers Thirteen on Spotify // March 2018 // Worldwide FM
Jelly Ellington - Over Easy with Coach // March 2018 // KWVH 94.1
Jelly Ellington Live in Studio AVL // April 2018 // 98.1 The River
Acoustic Asheville: Jelly Ellington // April 2018 // Mountain XPress
Austin Music Awards - Best Austin Musicians 2017-2018 // March 2018 // Austin Chronicle
Review: Jelly Ellington "All In" // December 2017 // DME
Jelly Ellington on Local Licks - An Evening of Led Zeppelin // Listen Here //  November 2017 // KLBJ 93.7 - The Rock Austin
PREMIERE: Jelly Ellington Releases New Music Video For “Let Go” Ft. Philly G // July 2017 // VENTS Magazine
New Music Review // July 2017 // Jake's Take
Music Box: Jelly Ellington // July 2017 // True Sk8board Mag
Interview: Jelly Ellington // June 2017 //  Punchland
Jelly Ellington Inspires Freedom with “All In” // June 2017 // Indie Band Guru
Listen: Jelly on Local Licks // Listen Here // June 2017 // KLBJ 93.7 - The Rock Austin
Jelly Ellington Bursts Onto the Scene With Debut Album, “All In” // June 2017 // Audible Addixion
Blues Rock: Jelly Ellington – “Set Me Free” // May 2017 // Audio Fuzz
Kick-Ass Indie Jams // March 2017 // The Dutch Guy (Netherlands)
Jelly plays with MC Overlord on 512 Studios Live // May 2016 // The CW Austin
Jelly Ellington performs on Austin Live & Local at Mix 94.7 Studio // April 2015 // Mix 94.7