Kevin Jones

ABOUT

Kevin Jones is a percussionist, band leader, producer, educator. A native of Englewood, New Jersey, Kevin grew up in a household immersed in jazz, soul, gospel and blues, from Charlie Parker and Lou Rawls to Nat King Cole and Mahalia Jackson. Reportedly, Kevin’s grandmother, Maggie Walker Jones, once played with (and maybe even recorded with) Bessie Smith. The arts of all types were nurtured in the Jones household and piano lessons were a requirement, not an elective.

Jones traces his percussion expertise to the age-old ‘academy of the streets.’ Over the years Kevin has evolved an increasingly comprehensive approach to percussion, commanding respect from artists around the world.

At age 10 began Kevin showing interest in playing hand drums. Neighborhood drummers were prone to testifying on front lawns and park benches, hand drums and various percussive enhancements in tow; their massaging, pulsating, skin-on-skins thoroughly hooked the impressionable youngster. Among these master drummers were Marvin “Bugalu” Smith (Sun-Ra, Archie Shepp, Mal Waldron), Earl “Buster” Smith (Eric Dolphy, Sun-Ra), Karl Potter (The Isley Brothers, Pino Daniele), and Babatunde Lea (Pharoah Sanders, Leon Thomas), who all spent time with and made a long-lasting impression on the young Kevin’s life.

At 18, at the urging of Kevin’s long time friend Charles “Chuck” McPherson, Jr., Kevin was asked to record an album with alto saxophonist Charles McPherson. Kevin and Chuck recorded “Free Bop” in the summer of 1978. Soon to follow was Kevin’s tenure in Archie Shepp’s Attica Blues Big Band in 1979 when he recorded a double album. Just a couple of months later, Kevin was asked to join iconic and legendary soul and R&B group, The Isley Brothers; a relationship that lasted for 13 years with multiple tours and eight different recording projects. In between that time, Kevin was able to join forces with Whitney Houston for three years touring and making many television appearances.

Kevin continued to study his craft and learn from many Master Drummers from Congo, Guinea, Coté D’Ivoire, Venezuela, and Cuba, all while working in all sorts of settings. From Reggie Workman and Winard Harper to Luisito Quintero and many World Music Artists like Soukous Stars and Francis Mbappe, Kevin stretched the boundaries of his craft. He also had the opportunity to participate with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Rhythm Road Jazz Ambassador’s project.

During his career, he has had the opportunity to share the stage or recorded alongside of Hilton Ruiz, Walter Bishop Jr., Harold Vick, Grady Tate, Frank Wess, Frank Foster, Tommy Turentine, Ernie Wilkins, Jamil Nasser, Ray Copeland, Joey DeFrancesco, Pat Martino, Jim Rotundi, Eric Alexander, Vince Ector, Papa John DeFrancesco, Melvin Sparks, Art Blakey, Art Blakey Jr., John Benitez, Bebe and Cece Winans, Jermaine Jackson, Angela Winbush, Norman Simmons, Luisito Quintero, Billy Hart, Frank Lacy, Luis Perdomo, Alex Blake, Randy Weston, Winard Harper, Phillip Harper, Jimmy Owens, Billy Harper, Reggie Workman, Steve Turre, Michael Dease, and Bob DeVos.

Kevin recorded his first solo project in 1999 with producer and pianist Kelvin Sholar, Marvin Smith, Chuck McPherson along with saxophonist TK Blue called “Land of Eternal Tranquil Light.” It was an eclectic mix of music. Kevin and Kelvin then put together a collaborative band called Tenth World to play some local gigs. The sound turned out to be innovative and expressive. The sound blended elements of Jazz, R&B and World Music to create a unique sound that had to be recorded. They swiftly started to produce an iconic album called simply, Tenth World. The group Tenth World included saxophonist Brian Horton, trumpeter Kevin Louis, drummer Jaimeo Brown, and bassists Damon Warmack and Josh David Barrett. On occasion they were joined by flautist George Makinto and percussionist Luisito Quintero. The core of the group remained the same for years. They toured all over the world, and Kevin was signed to a contract with Motema Music. They produced another Live CD simply called “Tenth World – Live,” which also led to wide acclaim. They are currently writing music for yet another CD called “Resurrection.”

Kevin relocated to West Michigan in 2016 where he now resides. Since he moved here, he has been active on the local scene as well spreading his knowledge of African Diaspora and Jazz Percussion. He has taught clinics and worked with the Dance Department at Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, The Jazz and Creative Institute, Triumph Music Academy, Rootead Community Enrichment Center, and AARP of Michigan.