12.19.11 | PIVOT listed in the TOP 20 Jazz Albums of 2011 by CMJ!
"Pivot" named to the top 20 Jazz Albums of 2011 by CMJ!!! This is exciting news, and I am honored to be counted amongst the calibre of artists also on the list!! Thank you CMJ for the love and thank all of you for your continued support!! If you don't have your copy of the album yet, make it a Christmas present to yourself!! Grab a copy on itunes, amazon,com, cdbaby.com, and other online retailers! Good times!!

12.13.11 | 36 weeks and the album is still charting!!
2011 has brought many surprises as the new album "Pivot" continues to chart internationally, and draw great reviews. I can't express enough my gratitude for the support and adoration we've received since releasing the album. Also, I must thank Turnaround Records for believing in us enough to put this album out there. The team has been working hard to keep this music in the public eye while I've been stretched pretty thinly across the musical landscape, working on various projects and bands across multiple genres. I've also been fortunate to travel around the country and across seas while making multiple film and television appearances, and even having the chance to perform alongside some of my hip hop idols from my youth!! So 2011 has indeed been a great introduction to the industry, but 2012 is going to be even better as we expand our reach and presence even further. Hope you can join us for the journey! Let's get it!

10.20.11 | I'M ON THE BALLOT FOR 5 GRAMMY AWARDS!!!
I'm happy to announce that this year I'm on the ballot for 5 Grammy Awards!! It's great to think that other people like what I've put out there enough to consider me for such a big award! "Pivot" has been a serious thrill ride since it's release back in April, and I'm thrilled to see where it will take me in the future. However, fingers are crossed and prayers going up for this special honor! Good times!!! Check out the categories I'm shooting for below:

Field 21 - Composing/Arranging Category 57 - Best Instrumental Composition
011. ANGELS - Melvin Jones, arranger (Melvin Jones)


Field 21 - Composing/Arranging Category 57 - Best Instrumental Composition
073. DIZZYSPELL - Melvin Jones, composer (Melvin Jones)


Field 10 - Jazz Category 30 - Best Improvised Jazz Solo
164. THE JUG-OR-KNOT Melvin Jones, soloist
165. DECEMBER 18TH Melvin Jones, soloist (Mace Hibbard)


Field 10 - Jazz Category 32 - Best Jazz Instrumental Album
1. PIVOT Melvin Jones

08.08.11 | "Pivot" is at 15 weeks on the jazz charts and counting!!
We've enjoyed nearly four months on top of the CMJ Jazz Charts, and it seems like the album hasn't lost steam yet! The response has been amazing and we've received nearly three dozen EXCELLENT reviews from notable jazz critics, artists, and DJ's across the world! The record is in heavy rotation around the glove hitting foreign markets like Amsterdam, Japan, Brazil, Italy, France, the U.K., and even charting on the Canadian Jazz charts!! Let's keep it going!!!

07.15.11 | "PIVOT" has been at the top of the jazz charts for the 11th straight week!!
It's been an exciting experience to say the least!! Thanks Turnaround Records label, Kari-On productions, and a great team of friends and family in my corner we've been able to remain in the top tiers of the national jazz charts for 11 weeks straight! I'm also happy to report that the CD has begun to chart internationally as well making it's way onto the Canadian charts, and getting international airplay in France, the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, and Australia!! I'm humbled by the support shown so far, and am looking forward to what the future has to offer!

Stay Tuned!!

06.06.11 | PIVOT reviewed on ALLABOUTJAZZ.COM!!!
The album has garnered ALOT of great feedback and reviews since the April 5th release!!! Also, it has remained at the top of the radio charts and is in heavy rotation around the world!! It's so exciting to see that so many people like the music. Here's one of those great reviews written by Edward Blanco . Check out the review by clicking on the link -Or- Visit allaboutjazz.com to find this and more exciting news in jazz! If you like what you see, please let us know by clicking "like" and recommending the review to the world by clicking on "recommend." Good times!!

04.30.11 | PIVOT is #1 on Jazz Radio Programming!!
My first solo album "Pivot" is the #1 jazz album in Radio Adds for the past week!! It was the first week for official album promotions, and the album came out strong!! Sales have been great and the record is even selling overseas in Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, Italy, and in a few countries I've never even been to!! It's exciting to say the least and humbling to know that so many people enjoy my music. If you haven't gotten your copy yet, check it out today and see if this journey is for you too!

"Pivot" is available online at iTunes, turnaroundrecords.com, Cdbaby.com, Digstation.com, and other online retailers!! You can purchase a physical CD or download a digital version.

04.14.11 | PIVOT CD Release a HUGE SUCCESS!!
The release weekend was a HUGE success as we played four shows to a sold-out house!! The turnout was so great that the doorman had to turn people away for all four shows! The crowd was WILD, the band was killing, the applause was LOUD, and people were leaving with smiles on their faces and CD's in their hands! Not to mention my good friend Jennifer Holliday stopped by the first night and brought the house down with her performance of Etta James' "At Last." Needless to say, it was an amazing weekend, and I want to thank everyone for their continued support.

The CD "Pivot" is now available online at iTunes, turnaroundrecords.com, amazon.com, cdbaby.com, digstation.com, and other online retailers. Release week, the album actually made it's way into the top 30 on iTunes!! Let's keep that momentum going! Get your copy today, and make sure you leave feedback. I want to know what you think!!

04.05.11 | "PIVOT" NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE!!!
I'm excited to announce that my debut album "Pivot" is now available to purchase online at iTunes and digstation.com. Soon you will also be able to go through Cdbaby.com, Amazon.com, and other online retailers to grab a copy! Now we're gearing up for the weekend-long Album Release Party at Churchill Grounds this Friday and Saturday!!! Doors open at 9:00pm and the 1st set begins at 9:30pm!! The band is going to be killing, and we have special musical guests stopping through to help celebrate this release!! Extremely exciting times, so I hope you can join us!! The details are below:

Melvin Jones CD Release Weekend
Churchill Grounds Jazz Café
660 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
Friday, April 8th & Saturday, April 9th
doors open @ 9:00pm
1st set @ 9:30pm; 2nd set @ 11:30pm
$10 cover charge at the door only
$10 minimum at the tables

03.16.11 | ALBUM RELEASE PARTY APRIL 8th-9th!!!!
My solo debut will be officially celebrated at Churchill Grounds in Atlanta on April 8th and April 9th!!!! Everyone is invited to join in on the party! The band will definitely be killing with Louis Heriveaux on Piano, Mace HIbbard on Sax, Rodney Jordan on Bass, and Marlon Patton on Drums! CD's will be available for purchase on the spot, as well as on itunes, Cdbaby, Amazon.com, and the Turnaround Records website! The doors open at 9:00pm and the sets begin at 9:30pm and 11:30pm. Special musical guests will be joining in on the festivities, so you don't want to miss this weekend!! Hope to see you there!

02.17.11 | Solo Debut "Pivot" coming April 5th, 2011!!!
I'm very proud to announce that my solo debut album entitled "Pivot" will be officially released on April 5th, 2011!! The team over at Turnaround Records has been great with helping to get this music out into the world, so I'm excited to announce the Atlanta celebration of this release will take place at Churchill Grounds on April 7th and 8th!!! More information coming soon!! Stay tuned!!

12.21.10 | Phaeton Horns Endorsement!!
I'm excited to announce that I am now an officially endorsed artist for Phaeton horns!! 2010 has been a GREAT year, and now it ends with a bang!! The guys over at Phaeton have created a phenomenal trumpet with all of the trimmings, and have made it available at a price that's even more unbelievable than the instrument itself. Now i have the opportunity to help spread the word about these wonderful horns. So any of you trumpet players out there looking for a great new horn, check out these trumpets and flugelhorns at: www.pjlamusic.com Good times in 2010, and the good news and opportunities seem to keep rolling in. So look out for more exciting developments in 2011!!

08.07.10 | My Solo Album coming soon!!
I'm excited to announce that I will be going into the studio to record my first solo album (after six years of delays) under the Turnaround Records label due for an official release during the Spring of 2011!!

I have always believed in "ordered steps" and in the idea that everything happens when it is supposed to happen. Though I have recorded significantly with so many other artists and musical genres, I feel that my recording project was delayed so that I could broaden my musical experiences. While teaching at Morehouse College, I believe I learned more from my students than I could ever teach them. Combining those lessons with the abundance of real-world, performance experiences, I feel as though my voice has literally transformed to express something which is musically, more meaningful than it would ever have been. Those experiences have afforded me the opportunity to perform with and to befriend so many fantastic artists, and I am humbled by the fact that some of those artists have agreed to record with me and help bring my musical ideas to life. I am expecting great things to come from this session, and I hope that you will all be able to come on this journey with me.

More details to follow soon!

05.21.10 | Back home for the Summer!!
The first leg of the tour with Tyler Perry was amazing and i got the opportunity to work with some amazing people!! The production sold out nearly every single show in major arenas across the country. The second leg of the tour is slated to resume during the fall, and it is expected to be just as exciting as the first. For now, I will enjoy the summer months mostly at home. However, the summer is not a complete break, as I am scheduled to perform in the Atlanta Jazz Festival with two acts, at the Friday Jazz Series at the High Museum with both my band and the Mace Hibbard Quintet, across the country with the "Simply Irresistible" Band, overseas with Johnny Gill, and to spend some time here and there instructing and giving masterclasses. Though I've stated many times before my unwavering belief in ordered steps, my life over the last few months has served more as an example of that belief than any words can express. More good times are on the way!!

12.17.09 | On Tour with Tyler Perry
I have just begun rehearsals with the Ronnie Garrett Orchestra for Tyler Perry's latest tour, "Madea's Big Happy Family!!" The play will mark the first time in 5 years that the Producer, Filmaker, Actor, Philanthropist will personally be on tour as Madea, so he's making this one a really big deal!! This is truly exciting, as I have never been on a tour this extensive before. Even better, I will have the opportunity to return to my hometown (it's been a loooooong time!) while on tour, as well as hit a couple cities where my family members reside. The production is slated to run from January 4 through May 2010. Hope to see you there. For more details on the tour and the cities in the run, either click on the link or log on to www.tylerperry.com. Good Times on the way!!

12.04.09 | Updates on My Life in 2010
So I haven't provided updates in a really long time, but my career and life have been extremely interesting and event-filled over the past year alone. So here are my most up to date tidbits.

I made my first major motion picture appearance in Tyler Perry's hit, "I Can Do Bad All By Myself." This was a great opportunity as we were able to perform both on and off screen. There are not many musicians who can make that particular claim! Also, I got the opportunity to get an inside look at the dealings of a major film production. This was an enlightening experience. However, I have to say the Tyler centered this particular film around the musical aspect, so we were treated like royalty on the set. Fantastic!

The movie was a result of my newly developed friendship and business association with Grammy Award Winning Producer, Singer, Songwriter, Bass PLayer, and just overall beautiful person Ronnie Garrett. He is a somewhat unsung hero in the industry, but the people that know what they "should know" are well aware of Ronnie's presence on the scene. Though he's performed for everyone from Miles Davis to Toni Braxton, he has maintained a level of humility unmatched by other artists in his calibre. Needless to say, whenever this brother calls i make it point to be available. One of the results of working with Ronnie (as sort of a face of Ronnie's projects) is the sensational "Simply Irresistable Band."

This band hit the corporate and party scene with a level of talent and skill that the rest of the industry was not ready for. Now the group has raised the bar for other bands in that circuit, with the one of the most impressive rosters of talent in the country. You can get an idea of what I'm talking about by logging on to www.simplyirresistibleband.net. You'll see exactly what I mean!

As well, my educational career has been going very well. The band program a Morehouse College has grown significantly over the past few years. This past marching band season saw an extreme combination of tragedy and triumph with the band emerging as one of the most notable forces in the HBCU Band world! I'm so proud to have been a part of it. Now, my career is taking a new direction as I step away from Morehouse College to focus on my performance career.

I have always been torn between the two worlds of performance and teaching. They are both such rewarding careers, and the balance between the two careers was practically impossible to find. However, I felt that I could no longer ignore the performance path and the doors which have been opened for me. I'm a firm believer in "Ordered Steps" and I feel that all I can do in the end is follow GOD's plan for me. Just as unexpected as my employment with Morehouse began, it had to end. (temporarily??..who's to say right now?) Maybe one day I will be "ordered" to return to the House. until that day comes around, I will do all that I can to make sure that i honor all those that made my success possible.