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Melvin Jones

Melvin McCuin Jones possesses a stylistic philosophy, an almost hypnotic sound, and technical facility found among few trumpeters his age. He seems to shine seamlessly in almost any musical setting. Whether he's playing lead trumpet, screaming on top of a professional horn section, performing serious classical repertoire, or stepping out in front of a jazz quartet and leading a jam session, this young man proves to be quite capable of capturing the attention of any audience. Melvin first began his professional musical journey in 1998 while attending Morehouse College when he made an appearance on TLC’s triple platinum hit album “Fanmail.”

During the same year, Melvin along with two other "Men of Morehouse" (Kevin Johnson and Broderick Santiago) formed one of the most popular Latin Jazz Ensembles in the Southeastern American Region named Rio Negro. Earning a large amount of success and popularity, the ensemble recorded three albums under their own name, while continuously performing nationally before audiences that range from the hundreds to the thousands. Since the creation of that ensemble, this Memphis, Tennessee native has shared the stage with a diverse range of musical icons such as Quincy Jones, Jon Faddis, Antonio Hart, Jennifer Lopez, Carmen Lundy, Kirk Whalum, Ray Charles, Erykah Badu, Marc Anthony, Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight, Michael McDonald, Bill Cosby, Illinois Jacquet, George Bohannan, Clark Terry, and Omar, a British Pop sensation to name a few.

Melvin graduated from Morehouse College with honors in 2001, and then set his sights on higher educational goals. While pursuing a Master's Degree in Music at the Mason Gross School of the Arts in New Jersey, Jones received the potent and intensive instruction of world-renowned educator and trumpeter, William “Prof” Fielder, whose student roster includes such prolific musical figures as Wynton Marsailis, Terrence Blanchard, David Sanchez, and Kenny Garrett. After completing his graduate studies, Melvin immediately began instructing trumpet students privately and giving lectures at various universities and high schools while continuing to perform across the country. In the fall of 2004, Melvin accepted the position as the new Director of Bands and Instrumental Studies for Morehouse College, a prestigious Historically Black Institution located in Atlanta, Georgia. Having joined the faculty of his alma mater at the age of 24, "Mr. Jones" officially became the youngest Director of Bands in the college's history (and the nation during that time).

A consummate and erudite musician, Melvin hopes to one day join that particular delineation of artists that have played a vital part in the advancement of their respective art. Currently, Melvin maintains the position as The Director of Bands and Instrumental Studies at Morehouse College while continuing to pursue a rigorous recording/performing career.

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Album Review

Black Gold Orchestra: Genesis

Read "Genesis" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Two years after it was formed by drummer Larry Wilson in 2021, the impressive Atlanta, Georgia-based Black Gold Orchestra has released its debut album, Genesis, a handsome medley of original compositions by Wilson and saxophonist Frank Houston complementing others by Cedar Walton, Horace Silver, Charles Earland and OutKast (a.k.a. Andre Benjamin). Even though the themes by Walton ("Firm Roots"), Silver ("Nutville") and Earland ("The Creation") are explicit highlights, Wilson's four compositions stand up well beside them, as ...

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132

Recording

Trumpet Ace Melvin Jones Hits Straight to the Core on His "Pivot" Album

Trumpet Ace Melvin Jones Hits Straight to the Core on His "Pivot" Album

Source: Gapplegate Music Review by Grego Edwards

I am not going to mess with a lot of words today. That's because a lot of words are not needed to capture what Melvin Jones's Pivot (Turnaround 1004) is all about. Mr. Jones plays trumpet with a brash and bold extroversion that puts him in the Lee Morgan-Freddie Hubbard-Woody Shaw bracket. Hook him up with a very hot band (like the one here), let him get his own tunes in there, and let loose. This is music with that ...

146

Recording

Debut Solo Album Released of Celebrated Jazz Trumpeter Melvin Jones

Debut Solo Album Released of Celebrated Jazz Trumpeter Melvin Jones

Source: Njeri Nginyo

ATLANTA—Turnaround Records, together with highly acclaimed jazz trumpeter Melvin Jones, proudly announces the release of Jones' first solo album entitled 'Pivot.' A culmination of many years of performing with numerous greats in the jazz industry, 'Pivot' showcases Jones' simmering style and his technical facility through original compositions that will captivate both newer listeners and long-standing fans. Jones, described succinctly as “the real deal" by the famed jazz composer and trumpeter Marcus Printup, already has a distinguished and diverse recording catalog, ...

"Melvin is the real deal!!" -Marcus Printup "One of the most refreshing new voices on the scene! His music is right on time!" - Rodney Jordan "Melvin Jones is one of the finest trumpet players I know. His versatility, from soloing to lead trumpet, always makes him an in demand musician." - Ralph Peterson "Melvin Jones is the essence of perfection. His sound is smooth polished and sophisticated. He is a great educator and shares his gifts freely with up and coming young artists. Miles is looking up at him smiling." -Bill Summers

Primary Instrument

Trumpet

Location

Atlanta

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Morehouse College Director of Bands Responsibilities include: -Marching Band Administration, Instruction, Musical Arranging, Field Show Design -Jazz Ensemble Administration, Instruction, Musical Selection, and Organizer for the Annual Morehouse College Jazz Festival -Symphonic Band Administration in Collaboration with the Ensemble Director Morehouse College Brass Instructor Responsibilities include: -Trumpet Instruction and pedagogy, Trombone Instruction and Pedagogy, Tuba Instruction and pedagogy, and French Horn Instruction and Pedagogy Morehouse College Jazz History Professor Responsibilities include: -Instruction of Jazz History Course for Music Majors and Non Majors

Clinic/Workshop Information

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Genesis

Self Produced
2023

buy

Legacy

Hightower Legacy Records
2022

buy

Pivot (release April...

Turnaround Records
2011

buy

Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You

From: Legacy
By Melvin Jones

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