Beloved Phoenix blues guitarist Carvin Jones, the King of Strings, died in the early morning of Sunday, Sept. 20, of cancer. He was 60.
A statement posted “with immeasurable sadness” by “the family and friends of Carvin Jones” on the guitarist’s Facebook page Monday broke the news and shared some history.
Born in Lufkin, Texas, and long based in Phoenix, Carvin “devoted his life to music,” the statement read.
“His sound was rooted in East Texas, where blues, gospel, R&B, and rock and roll intersected. He first discovered the blues through the B.B. King records his grandfather played at home and began playing at seven, when his grandmother bought him his first guitar.”
Carvin Jones 'loved being onstage because he loved being with people'
Jones “loved being onstage because he loved being with people,” the statement
continued. “He would leave the stage to play in the crowd, turning every show into something shared. That same generosity shaped his life offstage.”
Jones was also a serious basketball fans who sponsored and coached youth teams in Phoenix.
During the pandemic, he created Carvin Cares, using his own money to deliver groceries to elderly residents throughout Phoenix.
The family’s statement said a celebration of life was being planned and details would be shared publicly once those plans were confirmed.
By evening of Sept. 21, more than 4,500 fans, friends and fellow musicians had shared their condolences and memories on the family’s Facebook post.
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Carvin Jones revealed that he'd been diagnosed with cancer in April 2025
On April 7, 2025, days after headlining the Celebrity Theatre, Jones shared the news on social media that he’d been diagnosed with cancer.
“This is definitely not the way I wanted to start 2025 but many of you could tell I haven't been myself recently," his post began.
"Well, I've been diagnosed with cancer. More testing is still needed to know how far it's gone and how we're going to attack it but it's made me pretty weak and unable to move around like normal and even at the recent big Celebrity Theatre show I went against doctor's orders and family members advice to postpone the show. I went out there and gave you guys everything I had even though the cancer had me very weak and extremely fatigued because I love you all and honestly needed that energy you all provided.”
That post included a link to a GoFundMe page set up by Jones’ friends that raised more than $35,000 for his treatments as well as announcing benefit show at Bone Haus Brewing in Fountain Hills in April 2025 that drew a crowd of 300-some supporters.
Jones was unable to play that benefit concert, which was organized by Levi Velasquez, Jones’ drummer of more than a decade whose band, The Black Hole, headlined the event.
Jones' backing musicians shared emotional tributes
Velasquez shared an emotional tribute to the man he considered a mentor on Monday.
“My brain came from my dad,” he wrote. “My heart came from my momma. My confidence came from Carvin Jones. When you taught a lost young man how to believe in himself you gave him the courage to use his brain to achieve everything his heart desires. May I find the grace and power to give to those around me what you gave to me. I haven't the words to describe how much I love you. So I'll speak with my actions and carry the flame you lit in me until I take my last breath.”
The Black Hole’s Facebook tribute read, “RIP to the reason we exist. The Black Hole is but a spinoff of this man's brilliant career. Your music lives on forever with us and we will make you proud down here until we see you again. We love you CJ. Thank you for giving us the power to live our passion.”
Ed has covered pop music for The Republic since 2007, reviewing festivals and concerts, interviewing legends, covering the local scene and more. He did the same in Pittsburgh for more than a decade. Follow him on X and Instagram @edmasley and on Facebook as Ed Masley. Email him at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Beloved Phoenix blues guitarist Carvin Jones has died at 60
