An incredible voice, surprising stories and a window into the man behind the music.
Feature SA | Trinity Sessions, Clarence Park | 8 November 2026
We've all been to concerts where the music does the heavy lifting. Jack Jones had other ideas.
The former Southern Sons frontman arrived with an acoustic guitar and a few revealing stories to get off his chest. And what better place for a confession session than a church?
Beautiful stained-glass windows, exposed timber beams and old stone walls gave the venue plenty of character. Red upholstered chairs, quirky timber side tables and friendly volunteers made it feel welcoming, relaxed and refreshingly old-school. Bottled water was just $2. Apparently, someone forgot to tell Trinity Sessions we're living in 2026!
The audience was enthusiastic, appreciative and clearly familiar with Jack's music. Many had followed him for decades. His playful side emerged before the performance began. The Ryan Martin John Trio were warming the crowd with their laid-back blend of Americana, bluegrass and folk when he appeared from a backstage doorway, enthusiastically applauding and cheering them on.
Once Jack took to the stage, it became clear that a few musical sins were about to be confessed. He admitted he'd recently discovered something rather embarrassing about his own songwriting. His song ‘Everybody in Blue’ contained an ‘accidentally borrowed’ chord progression from the chorus of Pink Floyd's ‘Wish You Were Here’, while a section of the verse had come from ‘Space Oddity’ by David Bowie. He laughed, wishing someone had pointed it out when he wrote it!
A voice that stops you in your tracks
I'd come to hear Jack Jones sing, but I had no idea he was such an accomplished guitarist. Playing his Cole Clark acoustic looked effortless. He explained how Southern Sons' distinctive guitar sound came from unusual tunings, even demonstrating how the songs lost some of their character when played in standard tuning. Watching him play, I could see why he'd originally wanted to make his living as a guitarist for other artists.
But that voice!
At times, Jack's voice was soft, heartfelt and almost angelic. Then, without warning, he'd hold a note and unleash a powerful wail that seemed to come from somewhere deep within.
During a cover of Cyndi Lauper's ‘Time After Time’, he belted out a soaring vocal run that sent shivers down my spine. I looked around. Nearby audience members exchanged looks of disbelief. I shook my head, then said out loud to myself, “Bloody hell!”
During Southern Sons' classic ‘Hold Me in Your Arms’, I felt the emotional power of the song. Nearby, a man had tears rolling down his cheeks. I couldn't help wondering what that song meant to him.
Jack didn't need a band, elaborate production or fancy effects. Just an acoustic guitar. Nothing more.
Confessions from the guitar stool
Between songs, he shared stories about his career, his musical heroes and some of the decisions that shaped his life. He was equally candid about the music industry, explaining just how difficult it is to have a hit. “It's like the business is designed for you to fail,” he remarked. Quite a statement from someone who knows what success feels like!
Jack also reflected on his time playing guitar with Bachelor Girl, whose 1998 hit ‘Buses and Trains’ became an Australian favourite. He recalled the thrill of hearing their music on the radio, then the rather different experience of having it pop up years later while shopping in the fruit and veg aisle!
But one admission genuinely surprised me. Jack had once been invited to sing alongside John Farnham for his 50th birthday.
He turned him down.
He'd played guitar in John Farnham's band for years, but held him in such high regard that the thought of singing alongside him was terrifying. After hearing Jack sing that afternoon, I found it hard to believe he'd ever doubted himself.
Showbiz was clearly in his blood. His mother was a chorus girl, while his father worked in Hollywood films alongside some of the biggest names of the era, including Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Ethel Merman. Quite a family background!
His storytelling was often punctuated by moments of spontaneous humour. When someone in the audience sneezed during a quiet passage, he immediately responded with “Bless you.” Perfect timing. Especially in a church!
Songs, stories and shared memories
The afternoon brought together Southern Sons favourites and carefully chosen covers, with familiar songs taking on new character through his acoustic arrangements.
Jack spoke fondly about some of the musicians he's performed with in The Fabulous Caprettos, including Russell Morris, Rai Thistlethwayte and Dave Gleeson. He also treated us to a rendition of The Screaming Jets' classic ‘Better’.
John Farnham's ‘Burn for You’, winner of the 1991 ARIA Song of the Year, was another highlight. When Jack launched into Daryl Braithwaite's classic ‘The Horses’, the audience needed little encouragement to sing along. Hearing so many voices coming together felt magical. For a moment, the church felt like one enormous choir.
There was also a surprise in store for one of his most loyal fans. He introduced Christine, a devoted fan who attends every performance. Knowing she's heard his regular set countless times, he reserves a different song for her each event.
His reasoning? So she doesn't die of complete boredom!
This time, Christine was treated to ‘Seven Towers’. A thoughtful gesture, with just the right amount of cheekiness.
The man behind the music
Afterwards, I spoke with two women from the audience who'd known Jack for years and seen him perform dozens of times. Both felt the church environment had made this performance particularly special. They loved the intimacy and hearing him share his stories. For all his accomplishments, Jack hadn't lost his humility.
That became particularly evident towards the end. Rather than simply thanking the audience, he spoke about how much it meant that people had chosen to spend their time and money listening to him. With household budgets under pressure, he recognised that attending a concert was a choice, not something to take for granted.
“You chose to come here today, and I really, really appreciate you.”
There was real warmth in his words. I genuinely felt our presence mattered to him. The audience returned his appreciation with two standing ovations. And the connection continued long after the music stopped.
A queue formed for photographs and a chat. I overheard one man telling Jack, “I've been to plenty of Trinity Sessions concerts, but I've never seen a queue like this!”
Jack patiently greeted fans with smiles, conversations and hugs. Naturally, I joined the line for a cuddle myself!
I arrived expecting a great afternoon of music. I wasn't expecting to leave church feeling quite so blessed!
Support band - Ryan Martin John Trio
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