Sean Jones

For the remarkable composer/trumpeter/educator/activist Sean Jones, the pursuit of Jazz is a most serious endeavor. Not just in terms of mastering the art form, but in its fullest meaning and purpose socially, philosophically and spiritually. Deeply influenced by his immersion in Gospel music in the church as a youth, Sean had an epiphany at the age of 19 while he was a student at Youngstown State University. That awakening occurred - as it has for so many serious-minded individuals both inside and outside of music - with his first hearing of the magnificent John Coltrane’s masterpiece A Love Supreme.

“I was driving in my car at the time and I had to pull off the road. All at once, everything just came together for me. My past, my present, my future. I knew the course I needed to pursue.”

Always a devout and focused young man, Sean sang and performed as a child in the choir at St. James Church of God in Christ in his hometown of Warren, Ohio. Originally a drummer, he discovered Jazz and the trumpet at ten years old upon hearing Miles Davis – specifically Kind of Blue and Amandla.

“Miles is probably the single most powerful influence on me as an artist. His overall vision, the way he changed with the times, the purity of his sound.”

Committing himself seriously to the instrument, the gifted young musician was also fortunate to have studied privately with the eminent teacher and great trumpeter Esotto Pellegrini. Perfecting technique through his studies, Sean was also developing his ears in the longtime Jazz tradition of absorbing the artistry of the masters through listening.

“Woody (Shaw) and Freddie (Hubbard) were first and second for me. And then there was Clifford (Brown), who I had to go back and discover through those two men.” He also cites Wynton Marsalis, whose personal work ethic and ability to break barriers had a deep effect on the emerging artist.

“When I saw Wynton’s picture on a classical album, I knew there were no limitations on me; everything could be within my grasp.”

Five years later, after receiving his Master’s Degree from Rutgers University (where he studied under the renowned Professor William Fielder, who also taught Marsalis) Sean had a 6-month stint with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Wynton offered Sean a permanent position as lead trumpeter and Jones remained there until 2010, participating in two recordings.

During those years, Sean started touring and performing regularly with his own ensembles and began his longtime relationship with Mack Avenue Records, for whom he has just released his seventh recording: im.pro.vise = never before seen. A highly respected and in-demand musician even while at Rutgers, Sean was prominently featured with a number of artists, ranging from the esteemed to the legendary. These included recordings and/or performances with Charles Fambrough, the Fort Apache Band, Joe Lovano, Chico O’Farrill, Illinois Jacquet, Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, Nancy Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Gerald Wilson and Marcus Miller.

The relationship with Miller led to another highly impacting experience when Sean was selected by Miller, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter for their Tribute to Miles tour in 2011. As A deeply respectful man, Sean was humbled by their decision to place him in such an exalted position.

“I have so much reverence for those men, so I asked them how I could best contribute to this music. Without hesitation and in one voice they said: ‘Lead….that’s what we hired you to do.’ That brought it all together for me.”

Having already left his position with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Sean decided that it was time to make his own unique contribution to the spectacular legacy of Jazz, and the trust and support of those masters cemented his resolve. Following that tour, Sean has been unwaveringly focused upon what he can do to further the living organism of Jazz expression.

Education is also a major element in Sean’s ongoing activities. Shortly after joining the LJCO he began teaching at Duquesne University in his adopted hometown of Pittsburgh, where he is currently Associate Professor of Jazz. In 2012 he also became Professor of Trumpet at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. In addition, master classes and clinics are a regular part of his activities, providing more than a dozen annually all around the world.

Despite this intense level of activity, Sean also serves as Artistic Director of both the Pittsburgh and Cleveland Jazz Orchestras, overseeing their annual four concert and six concert series, respectively. Equally committed as an activist and advocate, Sean is focused upon trying to organize the various Jazz orchestras all over the country to offer this glorious art form in as rich, substantive and compelling a manner as possible.

His current performance focus is upon the quartet on his latest CD, who have been working together since 2007 – with pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Obed Calvaire.

“I feel that this music at its most profound demands that combination of the essential forces of spiritual energy, raw essence and group synergy. That’s our goal.”

But Sean is also looking toward projects with new and larger ensembles, including orchestras. In addition, he’s planning on more forays into the world of Western classical music, while working on solidifying his pedagogy and increasing his lecturing and writing activities.

Clearly a powerfully committed, heavily focused and deeply spiritual man, Sean taps the energies of his youthful vigor (he turns 36 on May 29) with a serious study of philosophy – especially that of 13th century theologian and mystic Meister Eckhardt; and Don Miguel Ruiz, whose vision is drawn from the ancient wisdom of the Toltec native people of Southern Mexico – to fuel the pursuit of his expansive and generous vision.

This remarkable gentleman sums up his perspective for his music – and his purposes – in straightforward and honest fashion.

“I think the progression of the art form comes with people being allowed to be themselves in their rawest form, with no compromise. If we can’t be ourselves fully, then what we’re putting out is a lie - or a half-version of ourselves, which I think ultimately people can feel. With me, I’m willing to take that risk. Risk getting a bad review. Risk not being at the forefront. Because I know in the end, my body of work is going to show a progression of who Sean Jones is in its most honest form. What I’m hearing, what I believe and what I have to say.”
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Nancy Erickson Lamont: Through the Passages

Read "Through the Passages" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
May 16, 2024

On occasion with so many artists presenting recordings, a reviewer may innocently fall into the trap of bypassing a jewel by an unfamiliar singer. Such was the case here. The subsequent discovery was fortuitous. Seattle-based vocalist and composer, Nancy Erickson Lamont's Through the Passages is a thoroughly fascinating, absorbing 12-original-track session with the artist surrounded by an A-1 crew of the Pacific Northwest's best. It is undoubtedly a pearl of a find. “Tick Tock" opens the date ...

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Grace Kelly with Strings: At the Movies

Read "At the Movies" reviewed by Jack Bowers

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Clark Gibson: Counterclock

Read "Counterclock" reviewed by Pierre Giroux

by Pierre Giroux
September 10, 2023

Saxophonist Clark Gibson's Counterclock demonstrates the synergy that can be generated by an outstanding group of performers, including trumpeter Sean Jones, trombonist Michael Dease, Hammond B-3 organist Pat Bianchi, vibraphonist Nick Mancini and drummer extraordinaire Lewis Nash. While pushing the boundaries, the set list, with one exception, is made up of original compositions by Gibson and Mancini. The opener, “Conflict," captures Gibson's emotive alto saxophone work as he is pushed along by Nash's drumming and Bianchi's ...

Album Review

Steven Feifke: The Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra

Read "The Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
May 10, 2023

Metti assieme un talentoso giovane orchestratore come Steven Feifke, un trombettista di prima grandezza come Bijon Watson e una big band con grandi nomi e prestigiosi ospiti e il risultato è scontato. Il debutto della Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra è stato propiziato dalla collaborazione col Jazz Education Network ed ha assunto le vesti di un album includendo in organico ospiti di rilievo come Kurt Elling, Sean Jones e Chad Lefkowitz Brown. Il principale riferimento è la tradizione ...

Album Review

NYO Jazz: We're Still Here

Read "We're Still Here" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
October 14, 2022

The “NYO" in NYO Jazz is shorthand for National Youth Orchestra, a marvelous concept that should be cloned and shipped to as many cities, towns and villages as possible. NYO, comprising carefully chosen musicians, ages 16 to 19, from across the U.S.A. is based at Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute in New York City, and We're Still Here marks its first full-length recording. The NYO's artistic director is trumpeter, composer and educator Sean Jones who is featured ...

Album Review

Emmet Cohen: Uptown In Orbit

Read "Uptown In Orbit" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic

by Mike Jurkovic
October 12, 2022

Pianist/composer/educator/impresario Emmet Cohen has proven himself time and time again to be one of the guiding lights of 21st century jazz. And he may have/could have single-handedly saved our collective sanity and jazz's continued rise and relevance when, in the face of a world plague, he began streaming Live From Emmet's Place from his apartment in Harlem. First it was Cohen and his trusty trio mates, bassist Russell Hall and drummer Kyle Poole. Then the sessions expanded to include such ...

Album Review

Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra: The Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra

Read "The Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
September 12, 2022

The Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra, co-led by pianist/composer Steven Feifke and trumpeter par excellence Bijon Watson, is a seventeen-member ensemble comprising seasoned players paired with young lions who are poised to capture pride of place. Nowhere do the leaders say who is in which group, and it would be impolitic to name them here. Suffice to say that some of the names may be more familiar than others--as, for example, trombonist John Fedchock who cut his teeth with one of ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Sean Jones

Source: Michael Ricci
May 29, 2023

All About Jazz is celebrating Sean Jones' birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Sean Jones

Source: Michael Ricci
May 29, 2021

All About Jazz is celebrating Sean Jones' birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Sean Jones

Source: Michael Ricci
May 29, 2020

All About Jazz is celebrating Sean Jones' birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Sean Jones

Source: Michael Ricci
May 29, 2019

All About Jazz is celebrating Sean Jones' birthday today!

Place our ...
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Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Sean Jones, Sylvie Courvoisier & Mark Feldman, Roseanna Vitro, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
December 3, 2015

Even as presenters prepare to go into full holiday mode, it's going to be be a busy week for jazz and creative music in and around St. Louis, with visits from several major touring musicians in the next few days, plus special seasonal performances from a number of local favorites. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, December 2 Trumpeter Sean Jones returns to Jazz at the Bistro for the first evening of a four-night engagement in which he'll be recording ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Sean Jones

Source: Michael Ricci
May 29, 2015

All About Jazz is celebrating Sean Jones' birthday today! Sean Jones For the remarkable composer/trumpeter/educator/activist Sean Jones, the pursuit of Jazz is a most serious endeavor. Not just in terms of mastering the art form, but in its fullest meaning and purpose socially, philosophically and spiritually. Deeply influenced by his immersion in Gospel music in the church as a youth, Sean had an epiphany at the age of 19 while he was a student at Youngstown State University... Read more. ...
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Career

Trumpeter Sean Jones Named Chair Of Berklee's Brass Department

Source: Berklee Media Relations
August 8, 2014

Berklee College of Music has named noted trumpeter Sean Jones chair of the college’s Brass Department. Jones will build on the legacy of the department and ensure that graduates have the skills to thrive in a music industry that is ever-changing. He succeeds trombonist Tom Plsek, who served as chair for 25 years. Jones is an internationally acclaimed composer and trumpeter who just released his seventh album as a leader, im•pro•vise = never before seen, on Mack Avenue Records. “Sean ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Sean Jones

Source: Michael Ricci
May 29, 2014

All About Jazz is celebrating Sean Jones' birthday today! As we’ve all been told, birds do it, bees do it—but anyone who’s actually gone to the trouble of falling in love knows that it’s a lot more complicated when humans get involved. Which can make the reality of relationships a bit disappointing for those weaned on a steady diet of radio-friendly love songs, but can also provide a much richer experience than it’s possible to describe in a couple of ...
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Event

Columbus Jazz Orchestra Blows The Roof Off In Trumpet Summit Featuring Sean Jones - April 10-13

Source: Scott Vezdos
March 25, 2014

Columbus, OH – In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, the Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) returns to the historic Southern Theatre on April 10-13 for a special fanfare to the trumpet titled “Trumpet Summit,” featuring guest artist Sean Jones. The bright vivacious sound of the trumpet has long been featured in the art of jazz. From Louis Armstrong to Dizzy Gillespie to Herb Alpert, our very own trumpet virtuoso Byron Stripling will lead the Columbus Jazz Orchestra in an ...
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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Sean Jones, Galactic, Pat Metheny Unity Group, Andre Delano, a Tribute to Eddie Lang, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
March 6, 2014

As the city wakes up the morning after Fat Tuesday, there's no post-Mardi Gras slump in the schedule of jazz and creative music in St. Louis. This week includes shows from several noteworthy touring musicians, plus a homecoming performance from a well-known expat, and much more. Let's go to the highlights... Tonight, Sean Jones returns to Jazz at the Bistro to open a four-night engagement continuing through Saturday. The former lead trumpeter with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Jones ...
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Primary Instrument

Trumpet

Location

Cleveland

Credentials/Background

Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies - Duquesne University - current Adjudacator - North Carolina Regional Essentially Ellington Festival - 2006 Clinician - Carolina Jazz Festival - 2006 Clinician - Depaul University - 2006 Clinician - The Ohio Jazz Summit - 2004, 2006 Guest Speaker - Miller Elementary School - 2005 Clinician - Michigan State University Jazz Spectacular - 2005 Clinician and Performer - The Morehouse College Jazz Festival - 2005 Guest Speaker - Kinski Area High School Bands - 2005 Clinician - Yamaha Day of Trumpets - 2005 Guest Speaker - CAPA High School - 2005 Clinician and Performer - Dickinson College - 2003, 2005 Instructor (Trumpet) - Montclair Music Prep Division - 2003 Instructor (Trumpet and Pedagogy) - Jazz Connections - 2002 Adjunct Professor (Jazz Trumpet) - Youngstown State University - 2000-2001 Instructor - East Cleveland Public Schools - 2001