Contemporary jazz drummer Kevin Peter Jones is marking Jazz Appreciation Month with the release of a powerful new single from his live album Blues Alley. Out now via Pacific Records, the track showcases Jones alongside an exceptional ensemble featuring GRAMMY® winners Randy Brecker on trumpet and Jeff Lorber on keyboards, as well as GRAMMY® nominee Eric Marienthal on saxophone. Together, they deliver a vibrant and deeply expressive interpretation of Donny Hathaway’s “Valdez in the Country.”
Jones’s connection to jazz began early. At just 15, he discovered his passion while performing in his high school band in Chicago, where the Elk Grove High School music program played a pivotal role in shaping his musical path. Those formative years opened doors to unforgettable experiences—meeting and performing with jazz greats, attending high-level recording sessions, and earning both recognition and scholarship opportunities. That foundation continues to inform his artistry today.
Recorded across eight sold-out performances, Blues Alley captures the raw energy and spontaneity of live jazz at one of Washington, DC’s most iconic venues. Jones is among a select few artists ever granted permission to release a live recording from the club, making the project especially significant. In curating the setlist, he chose “Valdez in the Country” as a tribute to Hathaway, an artist he deeply admires for both his musical brilliance and his commitment to education and emotional authenticity in music.
Jones’s arrangement brings a fresh, rhythmic vitality to the classic, blending soulful grooves with Latin jazz-funk influences. The performance is elevated by standout solo work, particularly from Eric Marienthal, adding another layer of intensity and nuance to the track. For Jones, the piece represents both a personal homage and a shared moment of connection with the audience.
Earlier this year, the first single from the album—a rendition of Cannonball Adderley’s “Walk Tall”—was released on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, setting the tone for a project rooted in both musical excellence and meaningful tribute.
The album features a stellar lineup rounded out by percussionist Lenny Castro, bassist Cheikh Ndoye, and guitarist Dean Brown. Across ten tracks, Blues Alley weaves together reimagined standards and original compositions, with each musician stepping into the spotlight while anchored by Jones’s dynamic and driving rhythms.
A Berklee College of Music alumnus, Jones has collaborated with a range of influential jazz artists throughout his career. Looking ahead, he continues to expand his creative output, with multiple new projects in development—including producing his son’s debut album.
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