Contemporary jazz saxophonist Matt Willard has officially embraced a new identity as Cali Jones, marking a transformative evolution in both sound and persona. The shift came last month during a trip to Los Angeles, where Willard collaborated with two-time GRAMMY?-winning producer Paul Brown. By the end of the week, he returned home not only with two fully produced tracks but also with a new name and a renewed artistic vision.
Becoming Cali Jones is far more than a rebrand. It represents years of inspiration drawn from the smooth, soulful West Coast jazz sound that captivated Willard growing up in Virginia. The music of Boney James, Richard Elliot, Peter White, Rick Braun, and other California greats fueled his imagination and shaped his creative goals. “I always dreamed of California — not just the place, but the sound. That smooth West Coast jazz vibe felt like sunset drives, palm trees, and late-night studio sessions. It wasn’t just music to me; it was a vision,” Jones recalls.
Jones first entered the jazz scene as Matt Willard, releasing his 2022 debut album Soul Assassin, which included the Groove Jazz/Radiowave Top 5 single “Electric Shock,” also featured on SiriusXM Watercolors. Since then, he has issued multiple singles that earned national and international airplay, steadily building momentum while seeking his next artistic breakthrough. Last month, as Willard, his single “Oh Baby Baby” reached No. 1 on the Urban Influencer chart, surpassing tracks by Richard Elliot, Randy Brecker, Herb Alpert, and Samara Joy.
Encouraged by his success and eager to elevate his artistry, Willard reached out to producer Paul Brown — a longtime influence and the mastermind behind more than 80 Billboard No. 1 hits, many from the very California artists who inspired him. The collaboration led to an unexpected personal and professional transformation. During their sessions, Brown casually began calling him “Cali.” The name felt natural and right, and soon Brown suggested a more profound reinvention: “Why don’t we start from scratch? Not just your sound — your whole persona.”
Willard embraced the idea. “I thought about the doors I wanted to walk through. The stages I wanted to stand on. The artist I was becoming — not just the one I had been. So, I made a choice. In that moment, I didn’t just change a name; I claimed an identity. From that moment on, I was no longer just dreaming of the West Coast sound — I was it. I became Cali Jones.”
Returning home, Jones brought with him two fully produced tracks, including his debut single as Cali Jones, Midnight Strut, set for release on March 30 via MW Records. The track, co-written with Brown and Buddy Jordan (bass, keyboards, and drum programming), features Brown on guitar and Ron King on flugelhorn. Brown describes the sound as “silky smoothness of Boney James with the edge of Richard Elliot,” capturing the West Coast jazz essence Jones has long admired.
Back in Hampton Roads, Jones’ family and friends welcomed the identity change with open arms. “My family and friends have always been extremely supportive when it comes to my music. I certainly have one of the best support systems, and I am extremely grateful to have them on this journey with me. Not using my biological name has been an adjustment, but like everything, in time, it will become more natural,” he says.
Cali Jones now embarks on a new chapter, fully embracing the West Coast jazz sound he has long envisioned while establishing a distinct identity that reflects both his roots and his ambitions.
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