JORY KINJO

Grounded in soul, blues, and R&B, Jory Kinjo is an internationally touring musician whose career has been defined by deep musical roots and a relentless commitment to live performance. Raised on rhythm and blues and shaped by decades on the road, Kinjo’s work spans funk, jazz, reggae, ska, and rocksteady—earning him respect across genres and generations.

Kinjo’s professional career began in 1999 with Canadian soul band Mocking Shadows. With the group, he completed three national Canadian tours opening for B.B. King in 2001, 2002, and 2012. During this period, Kinjo performed at major festivals and venues alongside ZZ Top, LeAnn Rimes, Reba McEntire, and Buddy Guy, and was billed with iconic Canadian acts including The Tragically Hip, Randy Bachman, Colin James, Downchild Blues Band.

In 2008, Kinjo toured Europe as a bassist with Montreal ska pioneers The Planet Smashers, an experience that sparked a lasting dedication to ska and reggae music. Launching a solo career in this direction, Kinjo went on to share stages with global heavyweights including George Thorogood, Ziggy Marley, UB40, The Wailers, Fishbone, The English Beat, The Slackers, The Aggrolites, The Dirty Heads, and Hugh Masekela.

Kinjo has performed and toured in 11 countries across North America, Europe, and Asia, building a reputation as a reliable, dynamic live performer. Since 2010, he has also performed regularly in Japan with his brother, Kaley Kinjo, appearing at festivals and venues in both English and Japanese as the Kinjo Brothers.

In 2014, Kinjo relocated to New York City, where he became a frequent collaborator with The Slackers and David Hillyard & the Rocksteady 7, touring extensively throughout North America and Europe.

Throughout his career, Kinjo has had the honor of performing with some of the most respected musicians in modern music, including drummer Ndugu Chancler, bassist Bobby Vega, drummer Gerry Brown, drummer Randy Cooke, keyboardist Doug Riley, and percussionist Larry McDonald.

Back in Alberta, Kinjo co-founded Kimberlite Records, a boutique, vinyl-focused label dedicated to 45rpm soul releases. The label has distributed records to more than 20 countries and remains the only independent Canadian label devoted exclusively to rare and original soul music.

Kinjo continues to tour internationally with projects including Jory Kinjo & the Relays, Kinjo & Young, Mocking Shadows, the Kinjo Brothers, and collaborations with artists such as Vic Ruggiero and Angelo Moore of Fishbone.  His work has been recognized with a 2023 YYC Music Award for Best Blues Album and a 2024 WCMA nomination for Best Blues Artist.