Hailing from Alberta, Canada, self-taught musician Jayson Bendera creates timeless songs with classic rock, blues, & soul influences. 

In 2019, Bendera fulfilled a life goal by meeting Grammy-award-winning producer and songwriter Walter Afanasieff (Mariah Carey “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On”). The two hit it off, & began cultivating a friendship that continues today. With Afanasieff as a mentor, Bendera began working on his latest 6-track EP, 11:11 The Wicked Hour. Afanasieff produced, co-wrote, and composed “The Wicked Hour,” the EP’s third track. The EP also features 3 songwriting collaborations with BMI award recipient and Grammy-nominated Iyana Ferrell (“Chain Hang,” “What I Like,” “Rainboots on A Sunny Day”). 

While creating the EP, Bendera built an A team from the ground up. He had previously connected with DFD Music (Billboard charting producers & Grammy board members Chris Davis and Shane Foster) and had been invited to co-write and perform 2 songs on DFD’s “Catfish and Grits” Blues EP. “Mississippi Mud Pie” landed Bendera and DFD on Spotify’s NU Blu editorial playlist, & reached #167 on the Spotify global charts for Top Blues song. Bendera continued cultivating this connection, resulting in a production deal with DFD in 2022. Each song on his first EP has layers of intricacy, unforgettable vocal tone, & intentional, carefully thought-out lyrics and sounds.