The player: Gregory Jones, whose recording and touring credits include work with Jon Lucien, Marc Ribot, Carly Simon, Screaming Headless Torsos, Astrud Gilberto, Ritchie Havens, Ray Anderson, and the PBS show Reading Rainbow with LeVar Burton. He was an instructor at the Bass Collective from 1997-2001...
The style: Exudes relaxed attitude, split-second instincts, and unobtrusive support as member of the jazz quartet backing four generations of tap talent. Duties include atmospheric chords and effects, slap and pop, thumb-muting, walking lines, melodic soloing, and occasional accents. A highlight of the San Francisco show was a rapid-fire, 64th-note duet between Glover and Jones, who has a special place for the show’s live improvisation. "Most of the gigs I’ve enjoyed are as a last-minute sub, reading charts, following people, having no idea what’s going on," he laughs...
E.E. Bradman
...From www.eileenivers.com...
Hailing from Cape Breton, Caribbean, Southern and Native American roots and now living in the New York City area, Gregory is an active force in the New York jazz scene. He has recorded and toured with such diverse artists as Wayne Shorter, Baba Olatunji, Astrud Gilberto, pop legend Carley Simon and tap great Savion Glover in ’Bring In Da’ Noise, Bring In Da’ Funk’ to name a few. Gregory joins Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul bringing a carribean-jazz bass style and a wonderful sense of groove which underpins the Irish melodic top line.
Gregory was born in Boston, Massachusetts many moons ago-before electricity and indoor plumbing...
He started classical piano at six, and entered New England Conservatory of Music as a jazz piano major. Gregory heard Miroslav Vitous at a little jazz club 1977, in a trio with Van Manakas and Bob Moses, and fell in love with his bass playing. As luck would have it, Mr. Vitous began teaching at NEC the same time Mr. Jones matriculated. He just signed up for lessons with Miroslav, and began his bass career. "I learned the E string one day, the A string the day after, the D string after that, and had my first gig the next night!"
Gregory performed with tap dancer Savion Glover for 10 yrs, and still can’t dance. "I may the only African American in the world that can’t dance!" He has played on stages with Wayne Shorter (5 whole songs!), Herbie Hancock (2 songs!), and played and stood by Ben E. King for a year. He often sees famous people daily on the streets of New York City...
He toured with Irish fiddler, Eileen Ivers, until the end of summer 2006, and does an impressive brogue.
He spent the previous two years touring and recording with German cabaret chanteuse, Ute Lemper , and still does occasionally dates with Andy Narell, Jon Lucien, Mickey Roker, and Ray Anderson.
Now focusing on domestic life, and playing as much electric and upright bass as possible, he can found all over the NYC area. He only travels now when his wife gives him that flustered look! He is writing bizarre, scary, dark, twisted, instrumental music for his own projects when hes not pursuing his real passion: Stand Up Comedy. "My only problem is I can’t remember jokes, and t-iming, but I’ll keep supporting myself with music until I get my comedy together..."
I’m sorry you
haven’t heard from me in a while, I was travelling a lot and preparing the
release of my album. But I’ll be back in NYC and playing there soon:
Tues, Sept
29th, 9.30pm, The Bitter End, Manhattan
I’d love to see
you there! Greetings from your Swiss brother, blessings,
Vlada
VLADA "All
about you" feat. Take 6, K. Whalum, A. Laboriel, V. Colaiuta, P. Jackson
Jr.
Hey Greg, hope all is well, took a few lessons with you around 2000, Do you still teach? Your pictures are great, I didn't know you were into comedy, i could help you there, but I need a few bass lessons in the future!!!!
Hey, I’m sorry you haven’t heard from me in a while. I was busy finishing my debut album (feat. Take 6, K. Whalum, A. Laboriel, V. Colaiuta, P. Jackson Jr.). And now it’s done! I’ll be in New York next week, so if you have time for coffee or so, let me know!
Greetings from your Swiss brother,
Vlada
PS: You can order the CD here, http://www. vladamusic. com
HI GREGORY WHAT..S UP? HOPE YOU ARE VERY HAPPY FOR BARACK OBAMA PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!! HOPE A BETTER WORLD FOR ALL. :-)
Ti aspettiamo per una grande edizione di Eurobassday 2008. Mettici tra i top e divulga le notizie sul festival per quanto possibile. A presto Eurobassstaff We invite you for a great Eurobassday Festival Please insert us among your top friend and diffuse our news. Best regards Eurobassday Staff
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe how out of touch I've been, With you I mean- some say in other ways as well. I miss you! and I can't wait to see you... Chris is gettting so big! Have the greatest birthday ever! I'll talk to ya soon.