JASON DANIELS
Singer · Songwriter · Guitarist · Recording Artist
California-bred and Mississippi-based, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jason Daniels pulls from another realm, blending American roots music with psychedelic rock, funk, Latin rhythms, and blues. Shaped by a musical journey from Northern California through Nashville to Mississippi, his sound brings together thoughtful songwriting, infectious grooves, and a spirit of musical exploration.
Raised in St. Helena, California, in the heart of Napa Valley, Daniels grew up in a family with deep musical roots, where songwriting and storytelling were woven into the fabric of everyday life. He picked up his first guitar at eight years old and wrote his first song at twelve, beginning a lifelong relationship with music and songwriting.
In 2006, Daniels left Northern California for Nashville, Tennessee, immersing himself in a city steeped in songwriting traditions and musical collaboration. His time in Music City became an important chapter in his development as a songwriter and recording artist, adding new influences and experiences to the musical foundation he had built in California.
In 2013, Daniels made his way farther south to Jackson, Mississippi, drawn by the city's rich musical history and creative spirit. "I wanted to breathe the air and drink the water," he recalls of his decision to settle in the City with Soul. Mississippi's deep roots in blues, soul, and American music offered fertile ground for his evolving sound.
His debut album, Dashboard Visions & Rearview Reflections, was released in 2013 and recorded at Nashville's Bomb Shelter studio. The album earned praise from Maverick Magazine, which described it as "full of soul and grit," while The Vail Daily called it "music that makes you want to experience life to its fullest."
In 2020, Daniels released his sophomore album, Downloads From the Universe, recorded at the legendary Malaco Studios in Jackson. The album expanded his musical palette, blending roots-driven songwriting with psychedelic textures, funky rhythms, and an improvisational spirit. Critics embraced its organic sound, with music journalist Jeff Burger comparing its loose, spontaneous energy to 1970s recordings by the Grateful Dead and Delaney & Bonnie.
Subsequent singles, including Mystery Train and Lurker, continued to explore the musical territory where American roots traditions meet adventurous, genre-crossing arrangements.
Whether performing solo or alongside the Jason Daniels Band, Daniels brings his songs to life through performances that leave room for spontaneity, connection, and the unexpected. His touring has taken him throughout the American West and Southwest, including Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and his native California.
At the heart of it all is a songwriter who continues to follow the music wherever it leads—drawing from the past, embracing the present, and always exploring what comes next.
