BIOGRAPHY
I consider myself to be a steadfast "Good Times" Connoisseur even in the face of some of the worst times in recent world history. So I hope the music we make helps to get somebody else to that place, if only for a little while. ~Good Times!
Hailing from the “Home of the Blues” Memphis, Tennessee, Melvin Jones’ first professional
recording opportunity came in 1998 while
attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA when he unknowingly earned his first two (2) Grammy Awards by appearing on TLC’s triple platinum hit album “Fanmail,” notably on their smash hit "No Scrubs." That same year, Melvin along with other classmates formed a wildly successful Latin Jazz Ensemble named Rio Negro that went forward to record three albums under their own name, while performing nationally before audiences that would later include two sitting U.S. Presidents.
After graduating with honors from Morehouse, Jones went forward to earn a Master's Degree with top honors from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University (New Jersey). At Rutgers, he received the intensive instruction of the late, world-renowned educator and trumpet impresario, William “Prof" Fielder, whose student roster includes such prolific musical figures as Wynton Marsailis, Terence Blanchard, Mike Mossman, classmate Sean Jones, and Terrell Stafford.
Following a few years of high profile work in the Northeastearn Region, Melvin slowed the pace of his performance career to serve as the Head Director of Bands for his alma mater Morehouse College. At 24, "Mr. Jones" became the youngest Professor/ Band Director in the college's history, and under his leadership the Morehouse College “House of Funk” Marching Band re-established itself nationally as a powerhouse amongst HBCU Band Programs. Also, the Jazz Ensemble Annual Spring Festival Series (started by Jones' predescesor) continued to flourish garnering the talents of such esteemed musicians as Don Braden, Russell Gunn, Freddy Cole, and award-winning composer and virtuoso, Terence Blanchard.
After years of service, Jones resigned from his position at Morehouse College to resume
his performance endeavors full time. Almost immediately he began touring with Tyler Perry's company on his production, "Madea's Big Happy Family" which led to multiple national and international tours with Perry’s Company as well as multiple movie and television appearances on both sides of the camera.
Since then, Melvin has toured, recorded, and/or
performed extensively around the world with such artists as PJ Morton, Patti Labelle, Illinois
Jacquet, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Jason Marsalis, Jennifer Holliday, Stevie Wonder,
Arrested Development, Young Jeezy, Marcus Roberts, The Anointed Pace Sisters, Missy
Elliott, Johnny Gill, the Pussycat Dolls, Steve Turre, Gladys Knight, and the list goes on and
on. Jones' career has been all over the map having appeared on over 200 recordings,
multiple television programs, performing in the house orchestras of multiple awards shows
and talk shows, and appearing on stages across the world on nearly every continent on the globe playing multiple genres of music. Melvin was a favorite at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Club in Qatar (UAE), most notably hosting and
performing for a small, private evening for the Former First Lady of the United States,
Michelle Obama. Jones also serves as an Artist-in-Residence for the “Mentoring Through the Music Arts” Program co-sponsored by the United Jazz Foundation and the US Virgin Islands Department of Education, as well as serving as the Trumpet Professor at Morehouse College.
Jones is also enlisted as a member of the all star house orchestra as part of an extensive tour with Award Winning Director, Writer, and Media Mogul, Tyler Perry. With a work ethic that does not rest until the job(s) are done, Jones spends the rest of his “time off” either arranging, recording, contracting horn sections, or with his beautiful family. It's clear that he is walking his destined musical path with no intentions of turning back.
Former & Present Memberships/ Appointments:
NARAS, Grammy's Atlanta Governor's Board, ArtsATL Artists Advisory Council, BMI, GMEA, NANM, NCBD, IAJE, Jazz Educators Network, AAJC, GAJE, The Board of Directors for the Atlanta Jazz Society, Panelist for the Fulton County Council of the Arts, and Panelist for the Georgia Council of the Arts.
Endorsements and Equipment:
Bach Trumpets, DaCarbo Flugelhorns, Denis Wick Mouthpieces, Reunion Blues Gig Bags and Cases, Empire Ears, and Hercules Stands.