BIO

St. Louis Native, JD Hughes is a soulful and conscious songwriter. After studying and fostering a deep passion for music throughout his teenage years, JD realized that developing a career fully submerged in music was his life path. It wasn’t until overcoming a serious illness in his early 20’s that JD realized the true power of music as medicine and he has been focused on creating music with a purpose ever since.

The message and sound of JD’s music, which blends elements of modern folk and roots music with hints of improvisation, allows an opportunity for the listener to explore the ideas of spirituality, mindfulness, impermanence, and balance supported by a backdrop of tasteful and poetic compositions.

A heartwarming song entitled, “My Old Friend”, inspired sadly by the loss of a childhood best friend due to a drug overdose offers much needed healing to anyone that might have suffered the loss of a loved one.

”Whole New Way” is a song documenting JD’s own personal struggles while overcoming leukemia that lead him into a new found mindful approach to life and spirituality.

The new single “In Your Heart” , which is set to be released early 2024 inspires us all to follow our own personal dreams by staying true to the guidance found within our own intuition. Produced by Jeff Martin (Trevor Hall’s drummer) this song has a lush sound full of sweet harmonies and thoughtful melodies.

While the more singer songwriter, lyric driven song compositions is front and center of the focus to his new original compositions as of late, JD also has a love for the big band sound. As such, his side project, JD Hughes & The Fuze is a funk infused jam band, inspired by the rich, cultural diversity of their hometown of St. Louis. Their sound embodies a heavy 70’s vibe, combining a lively blend of Funk, Jazz, Rock, & Reggae best described as “jam funk jazz”.

The band will be doing a staggered series of releases of their recorded music in 2024 culminating into a full length album by close of 2024. The first single “DANCE” (Feat. Aina Cook) was already released (click link to song to listen) on all major streaming platforms and you can also view the official music video here.

Stay tuned for the next releases throughout 2024!

Aside from his original music, JD plays in the local STL music scene on a weekly basis as a cover musician whether it be a solo/duo/trio acoustic set as a looping artist, in the new original group Neon Garden (releasing in 2024), or in numerous STL cover bands (Any Major Dudes - A Steely Dan Experience, Voodoo Fleetwood, Voodoo, Bob Marley, Voodoo Jimi Hendrix, The Soul Soup Show - A Funk & Soul Experience, Samba Bom ) and various different wedding and event bands. Being inspired by a wide range of musical genres, you may never know what you will hear at a local STL event where JD is on the bill. 

With a desire to pass on the musical torch to others, JD also maintains a regular teaching schedule offering music lessons to aspiring musicians interested in embarking on their own musical journey.