"In the States there's mega-people and that's great for a band but there's just me. I like concerts big enough so it is still very personal and that's really important for me and what I do."
What he does is deliver a blend of original folk songs rooted in primal blues and soul, as well as covers but giving them the "Paul Ubana twist". He's been described as an acoustic Jimi Hendrix.
"Part of what I do is originals that I have written but over the years, there's an equal percentage of me putting out these songs that I have re-interpreted and really owned."
He has remade One by U2. Bono himself loved the song so much he put it on his personal website. Jones also has an interpretation of Jimi Hendrix's Angel.
"So I kind of bring them into my programme and people don't expect it and you get a lot of 'wow, you owned that song'."
Jones tries to put something new into every song, each time he sings live.
"You always play songs in your repertoire but the trick is to bring that new freshness and to each and every song - that's what I love."
He is working on his 10th album and has travelled the world - touring with the likes of BB King, Norah Jones, Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal and Keb Mo. Three New Zealand Music Tui Awards adorn his mantelpiece.
His appearances include Dublin Blues Festival, Byron Bay Blues Festival, Vancouver Island Folk Festival, Blues at Bridgetown, and many others across Europe.
He's played everywhere ... from massive festivals to small stages, kindergartens, fire stations, even psychiatric hospitals.
the fine print
What: Paul Ubana Jones
Where: Baycourt X Space
When: July 27
Tickets: Ticketek, $30
