The Jesse Jones Jr. Quartet featuring Jessie Jones Jr. on sax, George Tandy on keys, Mikailo Kasha on bass and James Cotmon on drums starts the 2024 Miami Jazz Cooperative’s season — MJC Tuesdays – at a new place: the Crossbridge Church in Pinecrest at 8pm. Free Entry, Suggested Donation of $25 here: https://miamijazz.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events#/events/10436 or at the door. There is a parking lot next to the building. We like masks if you do. (Pinecrest)
About JESSE JONES JR.
“‘J’” is for Jazz 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 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 Adderly albums. “I loved that sound and knew right then I was going to be a musician for the rest of my life.”
After college, Jessie 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 danced 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 are 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, where he signed with Fantasy Records in 1996 and produced his first CD titled “Soul Serenade.” Most recently promoting his latest CD, released May 1, 2009, “The So Then Collection.” With this CD, you not only hear great music, but you can also taste the many sweet flavors coming from this wonderful musician/entertainer. Through the many years of performing Jesse has worked with many people including Donald Byrd, Blue Mitchell, Dexter Gordon, Joe Williams, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Eartha Kitt, Clark Terry, Allan Harris, Ira Sullivan, Melton Mustafa Jr., Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Monty Alexander, to name a few. (Pinecrest)