Out July 25, 2025, BloodLines marks an emotionally resonant and deeply spiritual live album from rising tenor saxophonist Rico Jones, released as part of Giant Step Arts’ Modern Masters and New Horizons series.
A standout talent blending rich heritage and modern jazz vision, Jones brings a reflective and personal voice to this recording—his New York City leader debut. The performance, captured live at Brooklyn’s Ornithology in August 2024, features a stellar multi-generational band: guitarist Max Light, bassist Joe Martin, and drummer Nasheet Waits.
“Rico is one of the few original voices emerging. His musicianship and passion have forged to create an original voice we will joyfully be hearing more from in the future!” – Vincent Herring
Jones’ accomplishments are remarkable for an artist still early in his career. A winner of both the Vandoren and Yamaha Emerging Artist competitions, Jones has participated in elite programs like the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead at the Kennedy Center and the JAS Aspen Workshop. At the Manhattan School of Music, he was awarded the William H. Borden Award and earned multiple DownBeat Magazine ensemble honors.
In 2024, Jones co-led the first all-Indigenous big band with Julia Keefe and appeared alongside Esperanza Spalding at the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival and later at Blue Note NYC. He's been mentored by masters including Vincent Herring, David Kikoski, Buster Williams, and Miguel Zenón.
Jones’ Latino and Indigenous heritage is central to his music. “The Latino and Indigenous perspectives have always been a part of my life,” he shares. His ancestry traces back to the Manso people of New Mexico and Juarez, and he credits both his family and the Black church he played in growing up for shaping his cultural and spiritual lens.
The album opens with the five-part suite “Bloodlines: Suite of the Omnipotent and Eternal Spirit,” emphasizing unity and divine connection. “Invocation” sets the tone with a spontaneous group improvisation, a kind of spiritual calling. Tracks like “Across Time,” “The Moment,” and “The Voice of God Shines Brightly On My Heart” reflect his introspective search for clarity, divinity, and purpose.
Other pieces are deeply personal:
-
“Lone Wolf” honors a departed friend.
-
“Queen Isabelle” celebrates his beloved great-grandmother.
Jones’ tone remains elegant, precise, and emotionally charged throughout, revealing a maturity well beyond his years.
Jones carefully chose his ensemble to reflect jazz’s tradition of mentorship and multi-generational exchange. Guitarist Max Light, a longtime collaborator, brings “enthusiasm and creativity,” while veterans Joe Martin and Nasheet Waits contribute “wisdom and grounding” that elevate and challenge the group’s younger voices.
“The beauty of music is that it is cultural, traditional, and aural. This ensemble embodies the legacy of multigenerational dialogue in the arts.” – Rico Jones
BloodLines serves as more than a debut—it’s a musical rite of passage. “This music marks a convergence of prayer, dreams, and hard work,” Jones says. “It’s part of my journey from Colorado to New York and a way to honor my ancestors, remember loved ones, and connect with the divine.”
As part of Giant Step Arts’ ongoing Modern Masters and New Horizons series, the album places Jones among a bold new wave of artists reshaping the modern jazz landscape. Curated by Jason Palmer and Nasheet Waits, the series also features Mark Turner, Neta Raanan, Eric McPherson, and the Edward Pérez/Michael Thomas Band.
With BloodLines, Rico Jones emerges not only as a brilliant saxophonist but also as a compelling composer, bandleader, and spiritual storyteller for a new generation.
No comments:
Post a Comment