Eugenie Jones is an American jazz vocalist, songwriter, and producer.[1] She has collaborated with many jazz artists, including Reggie Workman, Bernard Purdie, Julian Priester, Bobby Sanabria, Lynn Seaton, Marquis Hill, Bill Anschell, and Lonnie Plaxico.[2] She received the Jazz Hero Award by the Jazz Journalist Association in 2023.[3]
Eugenie Jones | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Eugenie Kay Parker |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Jazz singer, songwriter, producer |
| Website | www |
Jones writes original straight-ahead, swing, and soul-infused jazz lyrics and melodies and is also known for divergently creative arrangements of Great American Songbook jazz standards.
Her vocal style embodies a smoke-and-satin tonality, rhythmically sharp scatting, and cleverly gifted lyricism. DownBeat magazine music critic Kirk Silsbee rating Jones "impressive" in her debut recording Black Lace Blue Tears,[4] noted the songwriter's "unforced lyricism."
Her recordings include four independently produced albums recorded on her label, Open Mic Records, including Black Lace Blue Tears (2013),[4] Come Out Swingin' (2015),[2] Players (2022), The Originals (2023), and the single One More Night to Burn.[5]
Early life and education edit
She was born to Eugene & Tommie Lee Parker in Morgantown, West Virginia.[2][6] Her parents were members of the choir at Friendship Baptist Church.[7]
Eugenie was the couple's middle child, growing up with five sisters and three brothers. Early music influences came from listening to her parents' favorite Ray Charles and Nancy Wilson LPs, her older sibling's Motown records, her parents singing in church, and her mother perpetually singing around the house.[2]
After completing her MBA,[2][8] she married and relocated to the Pacific NW, started a family and a career in marketing communications and the death of her mother, in 2010,[9][10] Jones started singing by leading her church congregation in songs, and later met Bernie Jacobs, who invited her to Seattle vocal jams.[11] She relocated to Seattle, WA, and started a family and a career in marketing communications.[12]
Career edit
Musical career edit
Jones discovered her musical abilities in 2010 after losing her mother to cancer. Jones was inspired to start singing to carry on the part of her mother, and pursuing that quest led her into the Seattle jazz scene. Jones booked her first performance in 2011 at Eagan's Ballard Jam House in Seattle, WA.[10]
In 2013, she released her debut album, Black Lace Blue Tears.[2][4] The recording contained nine of her original songs and two jazz standards, and the release was awarded the Earshot Jazz NW Recording of the Year Golden Ear Award. Her 2015 follow-up album, Come Out Swingin', also received critical acclaim, and earned her the title of NW Vocalist of the Year from Earshot.[7][9]
In 2022, Jones released her third album, Players.[3]The two-disc, 15-track album consisting mostly of original tunes was recorded over four years in four different cities – New York, Dallas, Chicago, and Seattle – with many musicians, including Delvon Lamarr ,Reggie Workman, Julian Priester, Bobby Sanabria, and Lonnie Plaxico.[2][7][9][13][14]
Community service edit
Combining her marketing experience in nonprofit human service organizations with music, Jones launched her nonprofit, Music for a Cause[8] in 2018.[15]
Under the Music for a Cause umbrella, in 2018 Jones assumed the role of executive producer of the Jackson Street Jazz Walk,[8][16] in 2021 co-produced the Celebrating Ernestine Anderson Tribute Series with Crusaders’ Stix Hooper, and in 2022 served as the executive producer of the Dear Ernestine Tribute series.[17]
In 2023, in recognition of her jazz-intersected community service efforts, the Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) awarded Jones with the JJA Jazz Hero award.[3]
Personal life edit
She was born to parents Eugene & Tommie Lee Parker.[6] Eugenie was the couple's middle child, growing up with five sisters and three brothers.[4]
Discography edit
As lead artist / producer edit
- Black Lace Blue Tears (2013)[2][4][12][18][19]
- Come Out Swingin' (2015)[2][4][12][18][19]
- Players (2022)[12][13][18]
- The Originals (2023)[20]
- One More Night to Burn (single; 2022)[5]
- Eugenie Jones | The Originals (2023)[5]
Compilation recordings edit
- 10th Jackson Street Jazz Walk Compilation (2023)[16]
Awards edit
References edit
- ^ Bell, Ian (18 May 2023). "Recommended: A jazz legend in the making performs on Vashon". Island Beachcomber.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Eugenie Jones Musician – All About Jazz". All About Jazz.
- ^ a b c d Kuhlman, Cara (8 April 2023). "Seattle singer-songwriter Eugenie Jones named a '2023 Jazz Hero'". KNKX Public Radio. KNKX.
- ^ a b c d e f Jazz, All About (2015-09-08). "Eugenie Jones: Come Out Swingin' album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ a b c Hynes, Jim (2022-03-12). "Eugenie Jones Players". Making A Scene!. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ a b Cliff, Richmond (4 January 2022). "Jazz Vocalist Eugenie Jones to Release New Album "Players"". TheUrbanMusicScene.com.
- ^ a b c d Jones, Stephanie (6 July 2022). "Eugenie Jones' Creative Strategy". DownBeat.
- ^ a b c d "Community Advisory Council". KNKX Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ a b c De Barros, Paul. "Eugenie Jones Fields an 'A Team' on New Album Players | Earshot Jazz". Earshot Jazz.
- ^ a b c Ponnekanti, Rosemary. "Tacoma Concert Band gets voice with soloist Eugenie Jones in 'And All That Jazz'". the news tribune.
- ^ "Eugenie Jones: Open Your Heart to What I Mean | Earshot Jazz". Retrieved 2023-10-16.
- ^ a b c d "Red Dress – JAZZIZ Magazine". 2022-03-24. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ a b "Eugenie Jones Quartet Performance". KNKX Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
- ^ Gilbert, Andrew (2022-03-14). "Eugenie Jones: Players (Openmic)". JazzTimes. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
- ^ Lloyd, Robin (April 4, 2023). "2023 Jazz Hero Eugenie Jones". JJA Jazz Awards. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Seattle's Jackson Street Jazz Walk adds new twists for 10th anniversary". The Seattle Times. 2023-09-04. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ "Converse with Ernestine Anderson at Dear Ernestine | Earshot Jazz". Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ a b c "Eugenie Jones in Concert – Bainbridge Island Museum of Art". www.biartmuseum.org. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ a b "First Listen: Eugenie Jones gives us that "Sweet Summer Love"". SoulTracks – Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews. 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ "The Originals, by Eugenie Jones". Eugenie Jones. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
- ^ "Take Five with Eugenie Jones article @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. 12 October 2022.
- ^ "The 2013 Golden Ear Awards | Earshot Jazz". Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ You, Jazz Near. "Eugenie Jones Album Release Performance – Early Show at The Royal Room, March 12". Jazz Near You Seattle. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
External links edit
- Eugenie Jones official website.
- Eugenie Jones discography at Discogs