Ubana Jones to perform at Marton Players Theatre

Popular touring musician Paul Ubana Jones will play a one-night-only gig in Marton next month. Photo/Supplied

New Zealand seems to be divided into people who have seen Paul Ubana Jones perform and those who wish they had.

After his recent interview with Alex Behan on Radio New Zealand, there were numerous messages from people who had fond memories of attending his performances at venues from Northland to Bluff.

Others just wanted to say how much they enjoyed the interview and hearing some of the artist's music.

Ubana Jones has been touring in New Zealand since he moved here from London in 1987 and says he loves playing venues like the Marton Players Theatre where he will perform on July 13.

"I love playing in places like that because you can form a great rapport with the audience and there is such good atmosphere."

Born to a mother from Manchester and a Nigerian father, young Paul began playing guitar at 11.

After graduating from music college, where he studied guitar, cello and composition, Ubana Jones began to forge his own contemporary style, influenced by blues, rock, folk and jazz, which he has developed over the years.

Alongside eight albums of his original songs, he has the ability to cover work by his favourite artists and make them his own while showing the utmost respect for the original.

And it is unlikely that audiences will ever see quite the same versions of songs because he is constantly developing new ways of playing his favourites.

Bob Dylan is an artist he covers often and a Marton audience can look forward to a slow, hand-clapping version of Blowing in the Wind.

"Someone may see me play and then see me a week later and say 'Hey, you played a few songs that were the same but they weren't the same'. I like that," he told Behan.

"It's how you can mould and paint your textures on that listening canvas. Freshness. New material. As much as you can."

The Marton gig is a stop on his Another Side of Paul Ubana Jones tour taking in theatre venues in locations like Waimea and Mapua.

Paul Ubana Jones: Marton Players Theatre, 366 Wellington Road, Marton, 7pm, Friday July 13 at 7pm. Door sales only $30. RSVP at bandsintown.com