About

Manitou Blues is a trio of experienced and celebrated players. Hailing from Michigan, Ohio, and Florida, the three members joined forces with one goal in mind: to play their favorite songs at their favorite northern Michigan venues. While they had worked together on other projects—or heard of one another through the musical grapevine—they didn't assemble under one name until 2023. Featuring guitars, bass, vocal harmonies, and an eclectic mix of percussion, Manitou Blues performs acoustic versions of classic rock, Americana, folk, and uptempo blues.
Johnathon North: Guitar, Vocals · Johnathon spent years touring with bands throughout the Midwest. He was the principal writer and singer for a traveling rock band. With record label and publishing company support, some of his songs landed on mainstream radio, television, and film. When he’s not slinging his Fender Acoustasonic with Manitou Blues, Johnathon also plays with The Dune Brothers, Rock Hat, and solo at area venues.
Johnathon North: Guitar, Vocals · Johnathon spent years touring with bands throughout the Midwest. He was the principal writer and singer for a traveling rock band. With record label and publishing company support, some of his songs landed on mainstream radio, television, and film. When he’s not slinging his Fender Acoustasonic with Manitou Blues, Johnathon also plays with The Dune Brothers, Rock Hat, and solo at area venues.
John Kumjian: Guitar, Bass, Vocals · John is a multi-instrumentalist. Known especially for his guitar, keyboard, and vocal work in New Third Coast, one of the region’s finest musical acts, John also performs with The Dune Brothers, Looking Forward, and The Jim Crockett Band. When he’s not performing, he’s busy writing, recording, and drumming for other artists.
John Kumjian: Guitar, Bass, Vocals · John is a multi-instrumentalist. Known especially for his guitar, keyboard, and vocal work in New Third Coast, one of the region’s finest musical acts, John also performs with The Dune Brothers, Looking Forward, and The Jim Crockett Band. When he’s not performing, he’s busy writing, recording, and drumming for other artists.
Scott Thompson: Drums · Scott has been playing drums and percussion professionally for many years. He started in the Detroit Metro area and worked with several of Detroit's best. Scott spent several years with a band called Travis. Travis had record deals and opened at Pine Knob for Bob Seger, to a two-night sold-out crowd. Scott's first introduction to Leelanau Peninsula was recording in the Roller Mills studio in Glen Arbor, with Travis. Forty-something years later, Scott and his wife, Kathy, became residents of Leelanau, and he started to play locally as well as downstate with several bands. Scott joins Manitou Blues playing percussion.
Scott Thompson: Drums · Scott has been playing drums and percussion professionally for many years. He started in the Detroit Metro area and worked with several of Detroit's best. Scott spent several years with a band called Travis. Travis had record deals and opened at Pine Knob for Bob Seger, to a two-night sold-out crowd. Scott's first introduction to Leelanau Peninsula was recording in the Roller Mills studio in Glen Arbor, with Travis. Forty-something years later, Scott and his wife, Kathy, became residents of Leelanau, and he started to play locally as well as downstate with several bands. Scott joins Manitou Blues playing percussion.
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