Jj Grey And Mofro

JJ Grey & Mofro, initially known as Mofro, originated from Jacksonville, Florida, in the mid-1990s. The band’s foundation was laid by John Higginbotham, known as JJ Grey, and Daryl Hance, who initially signed with a UK label and performed in Europe as Mofro Magic. Their collaboration began while working for an air conditioning company in Jacksonville. Preceding Mofro, they were part of Faith Nation, a rock band, and Alma Zuma, a funk band. Following the collapse of their UK record deal, Grey and Hance returned to Jacksonville, formed Mofro, and secured a contract with Fog City Records in 2001.

The band’s debut studio album, “Blackwater,” was released in 2001, featuring songs inspired by Grey’s upbringing in Florida. A vehicle accident involving several band members in late 2001 temporarily halted their progress. In 2004, they released “Lochloosa,” their second album, which continued to explore themes of environmental concern and the natural beauty of Florida’s Lochloosa and Orange Lakes. This album marked their final release under Fog City Records and the Mofro name. In 2007, the band transitioned to the name JJ Grey & Mofro and signed with Alligator Records, releasing “Country Ghetto.” Notable tracks from this period include “The Sun is Shining Down,” which was featured in the Season 3 Finale of “House of Cards.” Their career has been marked by a consistent focus on narrative songwriting, drawing from Southern rock, soul, blues, and funk influences, and an extensive touring schedule across major music festivals.

Over the years, JJ Grey & Mofro have released multiple albums documenting their musical evolution and lyrical depth. “Orange Blossoms” (2008) introduced more suggestive themes, while “Georgia Warhorse” (2010) featured collaborations with artists like Toots Hibbert from Toots and the Maytals and Derek Trucks. Daryl Hance departed in 2010 to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Andrew Trube. Subsequent albums include “This River” (2013) and “Ol’ Glory” (2015), the latter being their first release on Provogue Records. Most recently, the band released “Olustee” in 2024, marking their first record entirely self-produced by JJ Grey in nearly a decade. Their commitment to authentic storytelling and musical versatility has defined their journey.