About Wolf Jett

The sound of Wolf Jett will make you dance, sing… and possibly even howl!

Their all-original songs infuse folk, soul and Americana into what they call "Cosmic Mountain Music.” Co-founded by two life-long friends and musical partners, Wolf Jett combines the southern-fried vocals and guitar of Tennessee-born frontman Chris Jones with Jon Payne’s endlessly groovy drums. Currently performing with Duncan Shipton (bass), Allyson Makuch (vocals), Rory Cloud (guitar), and Alex Benjamin (keys/percussion).

Chris and Jon formed Wolf Jett in early 2020. The ‘Jett’ comes from his maternal grandfather’s last name, and is a tribute to his family’s legacy. Just before the scheduled release of their debut album the world was hit by pandemic and all tours were cancelled, so they constructed an analog studio at Jon’s residence called “House on a Hill" in Boulder Creek, CA. Tragically, CZU Lightning fires ripped through Big Basin State Park in August of that year, consuming the house and studio along with it. Their story was featured in SF Chronicle, Oakland Tribune, San Jose Mercury, and Santa Cruz Sentinel. Seeing an opportunity to bring healing energy to their community, they recorded an emotionally-charged live performance of their song "Garden of Pain" among the ashes and rubble of where their home once stood with the help of friends The T Sisters, which was featured on several streaming fundraisers to help raise much-needed donations for thousands of fire victims.

They have performed with California Honeydrops, Allen Stone, Cedric Burnside, Fruition, The Brothers Comatose, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Shiny Ribs, and Mother Hips. Their albums feature Jason Crosby (Jackson Browne), Stelth Ulvang (Lumineers), James Deprato (Chuck Prophet), and Eric Yates (Hot Buttered Rum). Currently in Radio rotation on local CA stations KPIG, KZSC, KRML, KBCZ, KSQD, as well as WNCW in North Carolina and WDVX in Tennessee.

New Album “Letting Go” (for Release April 2, 2026)

‘Letting Go’ is the fully-realized vision of the band’s four year collaboration with producer Jonathan Kirchner. The journey begins with a fresh feeling (In a Good Place Again), drifting into an already classic road song (Straight Back Home to You), then morphs into a psychedelic gypsy murder ballad (Nothin’ But Trouble) and a reckoning of the past (Face the Music). This all culminates into the mesmerizing title track (Letting Go) featuring Jason Crosby on keys.

Side two returns with renewed conviction in the certified banger Don’t Give Up on Me Now, which includes the viral Instagram guitar solo performed by Benjamin Andrews. Don’t You Worry is a hopeful message to the youth, followed by a meditative moment of peace by singer Laura T Lewis (Be Still) and a raw southern homecoming in (Back to Carolina). A final message of hope is delivered in the soulful Love in My Heart. The striking artwork by Santa Cruz artist Lili Arnold fully encompasses the rich and varied energy of the album in visual form.

Notable Events:

• Ten Mile Creek Revival (Laytonville) - 2026

• Sound Summit w/ Cake (Mt. Tamalpais) - 2025

• Golden Road Gathering (Placerville) - 2025

• Live Oak Fest (San Luis Obispo) - 2022, 2025

• Albino Skunk Fest (Greer, SC) - 2023, 2025

• Whale Rock (Paso Robles) - 2021, 2023

• Jam In the Van live performances - 2021, 2023