Roots
Sean Jones embodies the 21st century jazz musician, an experimental, supremely talented type whose vision and sensibility encourages inclusion rather than separation. "Jazz embraces everything," Jones says. "I’m not nearly arrogant enough to try and define it as one thing or one style. Jazz has always from its very beginning linked cultures, generations, and races. To pigeonhole it and say it can only do one thing to me does a disservice to it."With Roots, Sean Jones continues on his path of exploring distinct and varied grooves, moods, and themes. On his rendition of the Ellington tune "Come Sunday" as well as "Lift Every Voice," a tune considered the "Black National Anthem," he’s more laid-back and reflective rather than assertive and attacking. Still, the prime thing for Jones as a player, composer or leader is never repeating himself, nor becoming content and detached in his approach."Living in today’s times, there’s just no way I can personally just settle for or try to stick to doing one thing repeatedly," Jones says in assessing his current musical motivation. "I want to create records that have variety so listeners don’t get too comfortable or complacent.That versatility is evident when he shifts into a fusion mode for "Conversations." The song retains the CD’s overall mood of reverence and worship, but also displays more rhythmic push and intensity. However, it’s on the cuts "El Soul" and "Puddin’ Time" that things really shift thematically. Here Jones and company start expanding the grooves, particularly on "Puddin’ Time" that mixes a bluesy sensibility with some fiery upper-register playing.Jones returns to more stately, scriptural territory on the final three numbers, particularly "John 3:16" and "I Need Thee." On both tunes, he carefully shapes, develops and ultimately extends the piece’s intensity, with "I Need Thee" closing the proceedings with a dramatic flourish.An ambitious as well as relentless type, Sean Jones has several professional goals for the near future. These range from cutting a vocal work that pairs him with several new and emerging singers to recording a Latin CD and doing a session with a full string orchestra. "There’s still a lot of ideas out there that I want to do musically," Jones acknowledges. "There’s a lot of music in my head and for me, when you say jazz, you’re talking about a universe that is limitless."