Cool Breaths

By Scott VanderWerf

the Paper.

Sax Player evokes memories of Cannonball Adderley

One of the best known names of the Louisville, KY, jazz scene will hit Grand Rapids Thursday, Oct. 1, at the B.O.B., and Friday, Oct. 2, at Schuler Books & Music.

Ron Jones and his quartet permeates the jazz scene in the Bluegrass State – from public performances to teaching to private parties – and this week, West Michigan will get a taste of his magic.

"The music will run the gamut," says Jones. "But the main thing we’re going to bring to the table will be some really hard swing. Very, very hard swing and a lot of energy!"

A graduate of Florida A&M University, Jones has been a full-time private instructor since 1985.

"Since becoming a private instructor; I have learned that this is what I was truly meant to do," says Jones, who teaches about 60 saxophone students a week.

Along with this heavy teaching schedule, Ron Jones still finds the time for performance. "This last month has been real busy," he says, "I am just trying to keep jazz moving in the right direction."

Last year Jones produced his own CD titled "A Vision of Beauty," which featured renowned pianist James Williams. "We will be playing a lot of music from my CD, some standards that I have arranged in some interesting new ways, so that they sound a little different."

"A Vision of Beauty" opens swinging, with a light airy tune, "One Step Up". The smooth melody of the song flows into a harmonically complex sax solo that never loses the effortless feel of the tune. The title track features Jones on soprano, with a light feel, rife with subtleties; this song is dedicated to Jones’ wife, and the title fits the melody. The third original of the disc is dedicated to Cannonball Adderley, Jones’ "…favorite saxophone player in the whole world, who was also an alumni of Florida A&M."

"One for Julian" has a bluesy feel, invoking the spirit of the great Cannonball with a cool breath.

The arrangements of the standards are indeed creative yet tasteful, and always invigorating. Irving Berlin’s "Cheek to Cheek" has a rocking second-line drum-beat and bass-line, with the alto playing on the melody; Williams’ piano is tasty, behind flickering cymbal beats.

"You Don’t Know What Love Is" begins with a cool bass-drum intro, masterful comping by Williams, following the sly alto-sax evocation of the theme. The heaviest swing of the affair has to be Wayne Shorter’s "Black Nile," featuring a quick piano attack by Williams; Jones enters the fray brimming with confidence.

The Ron Jones Quartet brings its intelligent swing to town for two shows: 9p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 at WGVU’s Jazz Night at the B.O.B. The gig will be simulcast on WGVU 88.5 FM. The second show is at 8p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Schuler Books & Music. Both shows are free.