Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Sean Jones was born on May 29, 1978 in Warren, Ohio. Among his first musical experiences were the gospel music he heard in church where he sang and performed with the Saint James’ Church of God in Christ choir. As a beginning musician, Jones started on the drums and switched to trumpet in the fifth grade after his grandmother told him about his grandfather playing that instrument during World War II. He developed an interest in jazz around the same time, after receiving two albums by Miles Davis from his band instructor, namely Kind of Blue and Tutu.
By the time he entered high school Sean had decided to pursue a career as a professional musician, and studied classical trumpet as well as jazz. In 2000, Jones obtained an undergraduate degree in classical trumpet performance from Youngstown State University and later a master’s degree from Rutgers University.
As a session musician he has performed with several notable ensembles and musicians, including Tia Fuller, Gerald Wilson, Joe Lovano, Tom Harrell, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Heath and Frank Foster. He has had a six-month stint with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, after which Marsalis offered him a position with the ensemble as lead trumpeter, became a music professor at Duquesne University.
Sean is featured on Nancy Wilson’s Grammy winning “Turned To Blue”, has released five albums for Mack Avenue Records as a bandleader, has played the Monterey, Detroit International and Montreal International Jazz Festivals and currently holds the position of Interim Artistic Director for the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and held a position as Associate Professor of Jazz Trumpet at Oberlin Conservatory for the 2012-13 academic year. He continues to perform, record, teach and tour.
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