Jon Kleinman

Music Journalist

I write for Living Blues, Elmore Magazine, Pop Matters and No Depression. I'm a lifelong blues fan, but I also write about Americana, soul and rock. My feature stories and reviews all highlight artists who are not only great performers, but have deep roots in traditional American music. Blues, soul and country are not a lost art. They are the heart of America's musical heritage, and my writing shines a light on the veteran musicians and emerging artists who keep that heart beating.

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Portfolio

Features

Elmore Magazine
02/07/2018
Bob Margolin on Muddy Waters

There is simply no name in Chicago Blues bigger than Muddy Waters. His booming voice, piercing slide guitar and inimitable swagger helped define the sound of post-war electric blues. The release of the CD/DVD set Muddy Waters - Live at Rockpalast is a joyous occasion for blues fans.

Elmore Magazine
04/12/2017
Samantha Fish

Interview by Jon Kleinman As Samantha Fish reflected on her career in a mid-town Manhattan juice bar, her relaxed and introspective presence contrasted with the indomitable performer audiences see on stage. "Everything that's ever worked out for me has been something I just jumped into with both feet," she recalls.

Elmore Magazine
11/20/2014
A Bluesman In The End

When guitarist Paul Nelson talks about his old friend, the late Johnny Winter, you can hear the emotion in his voice. "Sometimes when I'm up on stage playing, I'll hear one of Johnny's signature licks come out of my guitar," Nelson said. "It's a reminder that he'll always be with me."

Album Reviews

Elmore Magazine
09/23/2019
Bobby Rush

Artist: Bobby Rush Label: Conqueroo Release Date: 8/16/2019 Until humankind discovers the fountain of youth, we'll have to make do with the music of Bobby Rush. On Sitting on Top of the Blues, the 85 year-old chitlin' circuit legend overflows with passion and joy.

PopMatters
01/07/2020
Mike Duke Steps Into the Spotlight

​Sometimes the story of how an album came to be is as fascinating as the music itself. Southern roots music artist Mike Duke draws from a deep well of influences and pours his heart and soul into everything he plays.

Elmore Magazine
03/21/2019
Tommy Castro and the Painkillers

Album: Killin' It Live Label: Alligator Release Date: 3/1/2019 Bluesman Tommy Castro has come a long way since his days gigging in the Bay Area. On Killin' It Live, the multiple Blues Music Association award winner and regular performer on the Legendary Rhythm Blues Cruise demonstrates that his blues chops and ability to work a crowd are as strong as ever.

Elmore Magazine
02/20/2018
Janiva Magness

Artist: Janiva Magness Label: Blue Elan Release Date: 2.23.2018 Detroit native Janiva Magness overcame tragedy and adversity in her personal life to carve out a career as a blues singer. She earned a string of Blues Music Association awards and a Grammy nomination in the process.

Elmore Magazine
04/26/2016
Charles Bradley

Charles Bradley's life story - he'd endured homelessness and worked as a James Brown impersonator before being signed to Daptone Records - makes him one of music's most inspiring figures. In a spoken introduction to Changes, he declares, "All the pains that I've been through - it made me strong."

Elmore Magazine
03/22/2016
Albert Collins

Artist: Albert Collins Album: Live At Rockpalast Release Date: 02/12/2016 Ever the philosopher, guitarist Carlos Santana once proclaimed, "A man's tone is his face." Santana's words ring especially true when describing the late bluesman Albert Collins. Beneath Collins' tough, weathered features were a mischievous grin and sparks of joy.

Concert Reviews

No Depression
12/10/2017
Samantha Fish hits Long Island

No one can accuse Samantha Fish of letting the grass grow around her feet. 2017 has been a busy year for the singer and guitarist - she's released two wildly different albums while maintaining a relentless touring schedule.

No Depression
10/03/2015
Sturgill Simpson at The Beacon Theater, NYC

Kentucky-born singer and songwriter Sturgill Simpson has won enormous critical acclaim since the 2014 release of Metamodern Sounds in Country Music. He's been called country music's savior and been compared to Outlaw Country trailblazer Waylon Jennings.

Elmore Magazine
07/03/2014
Drive-By Truckers - The Paramount (Huntington, NY)

The passion and swagger of Southern rock came to Long Island as Drive-By Truckers took the stage for a Saturday night show in Huntington. Energized by the success of their latest album English Oceans, the band performed an extended set that featured a heady mix of new material and old favorites.