Jesse Jones Jr.
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Jesse Jones Jr.

Miami, Florida, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2000

Miami, Florida, United States
Established on Jan, 2000
Band Jazz Blues

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"Jazzonian"

As seen and enjoyed countless times at Jazz venues in Miami and South Florida, Jesse Jones Jr. can potentially become a one-man musical wrecking crew on any given night.

With or without a band, with or without a saxophone in hand, Jones Jr becomes “Mr. Entertainment.” And on this night, Jesse was being himself; his saxophone was on fire and the audience loved it.
On this night, Jesse’s presence on stage radiated with a particular sense that enveloped the essence of Jazz. Not only displaying amazing technical prowess on the saxophone, Jesse expressed a soulful quality that shined like a morning sun rising to inspire and invigorate everything around him.

With an intensive musical bag of Jazzy tricks, Jesse plays the sax; Jesse sings the blues; Jesse scats; Jesse produces unusual sounds from his saxophone and flute; Jesse gets the audience to sing; Jesse strolls throughout the venue; Jesse inspires you to dance the Mambo. And if you’re sitting close to the stage, Jesse may even have something to say about your food.

From Coltrane to Gato Barbieri, Jesse’s repertoire is a plethora of Jazz styles that includes traditional Jazz, Swing, Bebop, Bossa Nova, Latin Jazz, ballads. And if you ask, he may throw in a Latin Rumba Tango for desert.

The band included the great Jazz pianist Dolph Castellano and drummer Joel DeRuggiero. Both gentlemen generously contributed to the Jazz tapestry with great solos, as well as adding essential nuances and authenticity which helped accentuate the overall musical energy that emanated from the stage.

While it might have been another cool and breezy Monday night in Miami, Yvonne, Jesse, Dolph and Joel made it a memorable evening that may go down as another one of those best kept secrets. - Bobby Ramirez


"Miami's Top Ten Jazz Musicians"

A Miami native, Jesse Jones Jr., along with his brother, Melton Mustafa, is Florida jazz royalty. A true entertainer, he is one of the most engaging musicians on the contemporary jazz scene, partly because of his background with the U.S. Navy's Show Band, with whom he performed as a musician, comedian, and dancer. That experience is still evident in his playing, which is full-bodied and filled with whimsy and mischief. A steady gigger, Jones can be found at clubs and theaters throughout South Florida all year round. - Abel Folgar


"Heidi’s Jazz Club"

Jazz is alive in South Florida and Jesse Jones Jr. is here to prove it. The Miami native is a saxophonist extraordinaire and continues to be on the forefront of a burgeoning jazz renaissance in South Florida. Jesse and his brother, Melton Mustafa, who is one of the great trumpet players of our time has been a running force in music for many years. Jesse Jones Jr. is one of those hidden treasures that you can’t help but to share with the world. Jesse overwhelms you with his infectious positive attitude and dynamic stage presence. Jesse Jones Jr. attended Mississippi Valley State University where he excelled in music, but his journey actually started in Miami where as a young kid he would listen to a neighbor practice his sax while playing along with Cannonball Adderley albums. “I loved that sound and knew right then I was going to be a musician for the rest of my life”. After college Jones joined the military and became a member of the US Navy Show Band. He traveled throughout North and South America where he was given the opportunity to develop his showmanship skills. Besides playing the sax, clarinet and flute, Jesse sang, tap dance and did comedy skits, and found that he had a natural gift for getting the crowd to become part of him. “I just love to perform and make people feel good and satisfied with what they’re hearing and seeing”. After serving out his four year term in the military, Jesse lived in Boston for a while, then back to his home town Miami...

The Jesse Jones Jr. Quartet puts on a show audiences remember for a long time. In addition to working with his own quartet, Jesse gigs with other performers and other bands as a free-lancer. His ability to captivate the audience with the classics, and adapt them to his own swinging interpretations, is legendary. “I can only thank God for His blessings. And with the love and encouragement of my wife Thelma, family, friends and incredible fans, my heart will continue to pour out the music that we love so well. - Heidi and Meisterchef Edmund


Discography

“St. Louis Blues” by the Melton Mustafa Sr. Orchestra, 

Ella Remembered” Live in Concert by Marianne Baer and Peter Baumanns, 

Live at Kennedy Center; “Nat King Cole, Long Live The King” by Alan Harris, 

“Jazz Romances” Tour 2000 by Al-Yasha Anderson, 

“Best of The Founders” Vol. 1 by Miami Jazz Coop,  

“Circle of Swing; Hello Brenda” by Roman Klocker and Michael Ehret, 

“Stolen Moments” Live at the Van Dyke Café, “Open Up Your Mind” by Alan Harris

“Boiling Point” by Melton Mustafa Sr.  

Photos

Bio

Jesse Jones Jr. is one of the most respected international recording artist in the music industry among his peers as well as his fans.  He started his music education playing the bassoon and received a scholarship to Mississippi Valley State University. He later adopted the tenor saxophone, which is the instrument of the man who inspired him, Cannonball Adderley.  With the vision of creating a duo like Cannonball and Nat Adderley, Jesse encouraged his brother Melton Mustafa Sr. to study trumpet.  In addition to forming a band and building a successful career together, he and his brother Melton went on to also become international writers, composers, arrangers and lead alto sax and trumpet players for many well-known Big Bands.  After college Jesse joined the military and became a member of the U. S. Navy show band.  He traveled throughout North and South America where he was given the opportunity to develop his showmanship skills.  Jesse has performed with many jazz greats such as Donald Byrd, Blue Mitchell, Dexter Gordon, Joe Williams, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Eartha Kitt, Clark Terry, Alan Harris, Ira Sullivan, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Monty Alexander to name a few.  He has written, arranged, produced and recorded three CD projects; Soul Serenade, the “So Then Collection” and “Father of Scat Hop”.  Jesse has toured throughout the U.S. and abroad in Italy, Israel, China, Austria, Greece and Russia where he has performed continually since 1999.  In addition to the alto sax he plays flute, soprano sax, baritone sax, clarinet and possesses incredible vocal ability.  He has also been a contributor on many recorded projects such as “St. Louis Blues” by the Melton Mustafa Sr. Orchestra, “Ella Remembered” Live in Concert by Marianne Baer and Peter Baumanns, Live at Kennedy Center; “Nat King Cole, Long Live The King” by Alan Harris, “Jazz Romances” Tour 2000 by Al-Yasha Anderson, “Best of The Founders” Vol. 1 by Miami Jazz Coop,  “Circle of Swing; Hello Brenda” by Roman Klocker and Michael Ehret, “Stolen Moments” Live at the Van Dyke Café, “Open Up Your Mind” by Alan Harris and “Boiling Point” by Melton Mustafa Sr. to name a few.  Jesse Jones Jr. is dedicated to the South Florida area especially the Miami community where he is a lifelong resident and supporter of the preservation of jazz entertainment.  He was the first artist signed to perform at the annual “Jazz in the Gardens” concert series in Miami Gardens and is a member of many local organizations.  In 2009 Jesse was inducted into the South Florida Jazz Hall of Fame and is a Founding Member of the Sunshine Jazz Organization (SJO) also based in South Florida.