So, you're wondering who is this Little Jonny and where does he get off? Well it's a long story, so let's begin....

During that period it was The Stones, Grateful Dead, David Bromberg, Bonnie Raitt, and various other wild things that were heard in the dorms, things like Pink Floyd, Buddy Rich, Count Basie, Frank Zappa, and yes ulimately the BLUES!! Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Johnny Shines, John Nicholas, Asleep at the Wheel, Elmore James, Robert Johnson, all the King family guitars, and many others. During this time Jon played acoustic jams, talent shows and on-campus gigs only. Relatively unprofessional. Upon graduation is when the official de-flowering began.

Jon stayed in Omaha and got into bands. The first (Risky Shift) was, by some miracle, a huge success! It was very popular in the clubs and had 2 guitars and 2 saxes. The repetoire included blues, funk and reggae. It also featured many original songs by Jon and the other members. The band travelled around the midwest from Colorado through Kansas, Iowa and of course Nebraska. That band was together for 3+ years. It ended when the blues lovers (Jon and Joe Cabral, now in the almost-famous band 'the Iguanas') went their own way. They moved on to form 'The Backbeats' (clever, huh?). During this time the band featured only 1 guitar and a tenor and trumpet horn 'section'. They also had a modicum of success regionally. They held down a 'blue Monday' at the world famous "Zoo Bar" in Linclon, NE for well over a year. Luminaries such as Luther Allison, John Hammond and Robert Cray would pass through and jam or take the Monday and invite the band to play along. The Backbeats travelled a similar but more blues-focused circuit. The Grand Emporium in KC, gigs in Denver, Ft. Collins, Minneapolis, Ames, and the Quad Cities area were all a part of this. Festivals also became a bit more frequent. The next band was a harmonica based band called 'the Headhunters'. This was another blues-rock unit that continued the travel throughout the midwest, and developed a strong following in Omaha and Lincoln.

In 1987, Jon followed a woman out to Santa Barbara, Ca.. It was here that he soon joined up with one of the premier blues bands in the area 'The Pontiax'. Thus began the California return of Little Jonny. During the 3+ years he was with the band, they released their only CD '100 Miles to Go', which was recorded by the then not-so-legendary, but now legendary Glen Nishida at Pacifica Studios. Fully endorsed by heavy-hitters such as William Clarke and Kim Wilson, George Thoroughgood and Rod Piazza, The Pontiax were on a roll. Europe, the US, Canada, The SF Bay Area all wanted the Pontiax. The CD garnered rave reviews, and featured Jon's guitar on many of the cuts.

In 1990, wanting to write and perform some of his own tunes, Jon gradually moved on from the nest of the Pontiax. Little Jonny and the Giants were formed during this period. Originally it was a guitar trio, very much a groove-oriented machine. The band grew into a 5-piece w/ piano/sax and guitar/sax/accordion and recorded their first CD 'Telecaster Music'. During this period, the band stayed close to home and developed a strong Southern California following. James Harman was a big fan and helped produce some of their first recordings. The 5-piece gradually became 4 and did quite well for a few years, developing an acoustic set that really was an impressive alternative in select situations. Festivals such as the Santa Barbara Blues/Jazz & Salsa Fest, the Orange County Blues Fest, Live Oak Fest, Strawberry Festival and the High Sierra Festival all included the Giants on the bill.

The Giants, during their stand, have played with a long list of heavyweights. Kim Wilson, John Hammond, James Harman, Gregg Allman, Koko Taylor, Fenton Robinson, Mighty Joe Young, Charlie Musselwhite, Magic Slim, Bob Dylan(!!!), Sista Monica, Anson Funderburg, I'm tellin' ya, the list is long. Junior Wells, Luther Allison, Lloyd Jones all have sat backstage and smiled proudly while enjoying the Giants.

Jon has always held a soft spot in his heart for the trio, and in 1994 recorded 'No Mercy' which featured this combination. Many original songs, some acoustic, some electric, slide, harmonica by the great Tom Ball, it garnered some fabulous remarks from Living Blues, Vintage Guitar, Blues Review, Southland Blues and radio DJs from all over California. There was a common response to Jon's music: Diverse styles, well played and marvelously produced, great slide, songwriting and performances. In 1994 Jon married and moved to the Bay Area. It is here we will still find him in Alameda. San Francisco, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles all have hosted great Little Jonny shows. Presently Jon is working in the trio. It is still the most satisfying sound for Jon.

In 1998 The Giants have released their 3rd CD 'Windin''. It included mostly trio work as well as a few 'experimental' forays into arranging for multiple guitars. There are several original songs, some co-written with Jon's long-time friend Robert Thomas (whose own band works out of Santa Barbara). It is still the blues which Jonny loves. Lots of slide and groove,groove,groove. There are live tracks on the CD that show some very mature guitar playing and singing. There is still just a bit of harmonica to whet the whistle. This recording establishes The Giants as one of the more creative blues/roots bands in California today. Here is where the future remains to be seen. Europe, Hawaii, Australia all have been calling. The website is hit more and more frequently, radio is opening up more as well. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for Little Jonny and the Giants, and don't forget to buy the CD, and check out the rest of this site. Leave a note, listen to some music, read what others have said about the Giants.

It's 2001 and a lot has been happening for the Giants. After the 1998 release of Windin' (which did earn some fine remarks from radio and Blues Press), the band has just settled into a good life in the Bay Area. North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, the East Bay, Santa Cruz, Sacramento, Gilroy, we have been tearing it up. The Garlic Fest. in Gilroy has been a surprisingly good time. They really know how to enjoy the music down there. We did release a LIVE CD in early 2000. It was recorded at one of our favorite haunts, the Blue Lamp. We really had a ball with Dave Maneely on drums. The first half of the CD was from that session, and the second half was a very interesting and superior sounding acoustic session with the amazing Paris Slim. He played some slide and some harmonica. I mean to tell you he REALLY played the slide and harp!!! He told me he has never recorded the harmonica before. We see and hear a lot of harmonica players (as a blues guitar trio, most harp players think we really are lacking) and believe us when we tell you that Slim is the REAL DEAL!! He is a very modest guy and would barely even mention it. And if you heard him on the guitar, you wouldn't even really need it, because he is incredible on the guitar as well. But suffice it to say, it is a fine aspect of that Live CD. That is a very limited edition CD of the band really sounding good.

We spent some time this last year on the road backing our very good friend RJ Mischo on harp. Another fine harp master, he relocated to the Bay Area about 4 years back, and really made an impact. People really like his style and performance. We first got together with him doing our acoustic trio 'the Big Boys'. He fit right in. He seemed to like us too and we started to do a few band things around SF. He is frequently going back and playing his Midwestern roots gigs and took us as his backing band. We had a great time and I think we helped him sell a few CDs! We did Buddy Guy's place in Chicago, played KC, Minneapolis, the Zoo Bar in Lincoln, generally had some great times. We did a month in May and another 2 weeks in Aug/Sept.. We wish him the best and hope you all get a chance to check him out.

Early this year we went back into the studio to make our 5th CD!! We found a fun place close to home in Berkeley (the Wally Sound). Wally made us sound very fat with his 2" analog tape. If you've heard our other CDs, you'll notice the difference right away. The sound is HUGE!!! Featured musicians include: RJ Mischo on harp, Bob Welsh on piano and guitar, Robi Bean on Drums, Chip Roland on organ, Mike McCurdy on bass (of course), 'Fuzzy' John Oxendine on drums (we miss you Fuzz!) and Little Jonny himself on guitar and vocals. The CD is called 'the King of Clubs'. We are already getting some big air at KPIG, KKUP, KCSM and others. We have received some good remarks from Bruce Iglauer and others and people seem to really like the cover art. We pride ourselves in using some unique images on our CDs. This one is no exception.

And truthfully the BIGGEST thing to happen is that Little Jonny had a baby!!! Or rather, of course, his wife had a baby. Henry Justice is going to rock!!! Now Jonny can have the roadie he always wanted.

It's going great for the Giants here in late 2001. We look forward to some new festivals this next year and it looks like the north will be opening up a bit for us. The new CD has caught a few new ears. We'll be looking for you. Hope you'll be looking for us!