Wolf Jett

press kit

Pure joy! That is the sound of Wolf Jett’s all-original uplifting dance tunes in the style of classic southern Americana with folk and blues influences. Featuring soulful vocals combined with lively improvisation.

Wolf Jett performs in various configurations, from 6-piece ensemble to a simple duo and anything in between. Whether it’s entertaining a private event or street festival, from mellow opener to energetic headliner, this band can be counted on to bring positive and upbeat energy with a refreshingly down-home demeanor.

Band Bio

The sound of Wolf Jett will make you dance, sing… and possibly even howl!

Their all-original songs are an upbeat celebration, infusing folk, soul and Americana into what they call "Cosmic Mountain Music.” Co-founded by two life-long friends and musical partners, Wolf Jett combines the southern-fried vocals of Tennessee-born frontman Chris Jones with Jon Payne’s endlessly groovy drums. They perform with Duncan Shipton on bass, and their wolf pack family of female vocals (Laura T Lewis, Allyson Makuch), electric guitar (Will Fourt, Rory Cloud), and occasional keys (Alex Jordan).

Chris and Jon have been performing together since they were 12, and they conceived Wolf Jett in late 2019 as a tribute to Chris’s maternal grandparents. Prior to the release of their debut album the world was brought to a halt by pandemic and all their shows were cancelled, so they constructed an analog studio at Jon’s residence called “House on a Hill" in Boulder Creek, CA. Tragically, CZU Lightning fires ripped through Big Basin State Park in August 2020, consuming the house and studio along with it. Their story was featured in SF Chronicle, Oakland Tribune, San Jose Mercury, and Santa Cruz Sentinel. Seeing an opportunity to help their community heal, they recorded a breathtaking emotional live video among the ashes and rubble of where their home once stood with the help of friends, The T Sisters. Their song "Garden of Pain" has since become a local favorite.

Wolf Jett’s latest release (March ‘24), “Time Will Finally Come,” was produced by Jonathan Kirchner and is available on streaming, vinyl and CD. They have performed with California Honeydrops, Allen Stone, Cedric Burnside, Fruition, The Brothers Comatose, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, The Mother Hips, and The Sam Chase. Their albums feature guests Jason Crosby (Jackson Browne), Stelth Ulvang (Lumineers), James Deprato (Chuck Prophet), and Eric Yates (Hot Buttered Rum). Currently in Radio rotation on local CA stations KPIG, KZSC, KRML, KBCZ, KSQD, as well as WNCW in North Carolina and WDVX in Tennessee. A new album is forthcoming in early 2026.

Notable Past Events:

• Sold Out Album Release at Kuumbwa Jazz Center (Santa Cruz) 2024

• Sold Out Great American Music Hall (SF) w/ Brothers Comatose 2023

• Sold Out The Siren Morro Bay, Sweetwater Music Hall & Moe’s Alley (Santa Cruz) w/ AJ Lee & Blue Summit 2023, 2025

• Golden Road Gathering, 2025

• Whale Rock (Paso Robles) 2021, 2023

• Live Oak Fest (San Luis Obispo) 2022, 2025

• Camp Deep End at Camp Navarro (Mendocino) 2024

• Redwood Mountain Faire (Felton) 2022, 2024

• Mountain Sol Fest (Felton) 2021

• June Lake Jamfest 2023, 2024, 2025

• Redding Roots Revival 2o22, 2024

• Live at Lakeview (S. Lake Tahoe) 2023

• Felton Music Hall NYE Co-Headliner w/ Harry & the Hitmen, 2024

• Golden State Theatre NYE Headliner, First Night Monterey 2023

• Albino Skunk Fest (Greer, SC) 2023

• WDVX Big Plate Special at Barley’s (Knoxville, TN) w/ James McMurtry 2023

• Two Jam In the Van performances 2021, 2023

Booking

Jon at flyhigherbooking@gmail.com