In the heart of Los Angeles, Jerron Paxton’s childhood was a symphony of old records and family tales, weaving together the vibrant threads of Black American traditional music. From those early days with his ear pressed to the radio, absorbing the soulful cadences that linked him to his Southern roots, Paxton has emerged as a modern-day griot - a storyteller and musician preserving a legacy.

"Growing up in Los Angeles, I would sit with an ear by the radio, eagerly absorbing the nuances and history of Black American traditional music that connect me to my ancestral roots in the South," Paxton reminisces. "I approach my craft with equal part wit and reverence, singing the heartaches and joys of the past and present."

Paxton’s latest labor of love, Things Done Changed, marks a departure for the musician, as it is his first collection of all original songs. Described by the Wall Street Journal as "virtually the only music-maker of his generation - playing guitar, banjo, piano, and violin, among others - to fully assimilate the blues idiom of the 1920s and '30s,” Paxton’s music resonates with a raw authenticity that transports listeners to another era.

Each track on Things Done Changed offers a glimpse into a world where jazz and blues were not just music, but a means of survival and cultural expression. Lynell George, Hugo Award finalist and former Los Angeles Times staff writer, captures this essence in her liner notes: “Etched within Jerron Paxton’s voice you can hear the wind, feel the hot prickle of the high-noon sun, smell the exhaust from an automobile on its last-gasp miles. It’s all there … in his songs you’ll discover context and background: the history of people and place and the come-what-may gamble of life-altering journeys.”

Paxton’s journey from South Central Los Angeles to New York City in 2007 has enriched his music with a diversity of cultural influences. His songs, like “What’s Gonna Become of Me,” resonate with a timeless quality that reflects both personal experience and broader societal shifts. "I write and sing about the culture I come from," Paxton explains. "It seems a bit neglected."

Things Done Changed not only preserves historical sounds but revitalizes them through Paxton’s deeply personal storytelling. From the rhythmic pulse of “Baby Days Blues” to the introspective narrative of “So Much Weed,” Paxton weaves together tales of everyday life with a profound understanding of tradition. Each lyric and melody is a testament to his roots and an invitation to listeners to explore and embrace the richness of Black musical heritage.

Reflecting on the album’s significance, Paxton shares, “Things Done Changed is my way of honoring the culture I come from. Born from the lives of the people who raised me, I hope these songs resonate with listeners as a continuation of our shared history.”