Dan McKinnon was 13 the first time he heard Jimi Hendrix take a guitar solo on “Voodoo Child.” Two things happened that day. First, on a guitar of his own, he tried to play what he’d just heard. He would continue to be inspired by both the masters and innovators of the jazz and blues traditions, seeking out recordings and learning how they were played. The second: he set out to make music of his own.

Bank Note Blues is a a culmination of that passion — a four-track debut EP of original blues songs rooted in the keen spirit of jazz.

A step back from the overproduced, blues/rock retread, Bank Note Blues is a genuine expression of both Dan’s life and his take on modern blues: authentic songs wrenched out of the pain of heartbreak, and paired with hard-hitting grooves and singable melodies. They evoke memories of Buddy Guy’s stage presence and Muddy Waters’ grit. The spark of solos more often associated with Miles Davis’ and Wes Montgomery’s jazz make the sound his own, a sound that has been turning heads in Toronto clubs since 2008.

Despite being a first release, Bank Note Blues is a milestone in a life that has long been lived in music. Dan has performed in major world cities — from Toronto, Los Angeles, New York and Rome — and been featured on Canada’s national JAZZ.FM91 as a spotlight artist. His music has topped charts on mp3.com. His education ranges from the formal (a degree in music performance at York University) to the informal, and he has mentored with some of Canada’s most prominent jazz musicians, from Juno award winner Mike Murley to Montreal guitar legend Nelson Symonds.