Acclaimed drummer, band leader, and producer Willie Jones III takes the stage at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley for a two-night stand April 30th and May 1st. Jones, a true heavyweight in the jazz scene, has racked up an impressive list of collaborations with some of the most legendry players in the jazz scene.

In 2021, Jones released the album “Fallen Heroes,” which honored the musicians (some sadly lost in recent years) who mentored and supported him throughout the years – talents like drummer Ndugu Chancler, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, pianist Larry Willis, and saxophonist Jimmy Heath. 

Jones will undoubtedly bring with him the spirit of his musical heroes as his sextet takes the Jazz Alley stage.

Professional Journey

Jones’ early professional journey included co-founding the jazz band Black Note, a group that was grounded in the sounds of the West Coast bop movement. Black Note quickly garnered recognition, culminating in a first-place win at the prestigious John Coltrane Young Artist Competition in 1991. During a span of six years, the band toured world-wide and recorded four albums including “Nothin’ But The Swing” in 1996 on the Impulse! label.

Throughout the 1990s, Jones continued to impress the jazz world, performing alongside the renowned vibraphonist Milt Jackson. He later joined Arturo Sandoval’s band, appearing on Sandoval’s Grammy-winning album “Hot House” and also collaborated with jazz legend Horace Silver on the album “Jazz Has a Sense of Humor.”

From 1998 to 2005, Jones was a member of Roy Hargrove’s Quintet – the jazz great especially remembered by Jazz Alley audiences, having been a frequent and beloved performer at the venue. During that stint, he appeared on several of Hargrove’s critically acclaimed Verve releases.

Jones’ extensive list of collaborators reads like a who’s who of jazz, including artists like Sonny Rollins, Ernestine Anderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Billy Childs, and Herbie Hancock. He has also released several well-received albums under his own name, showcasing his talents not only as a drummer but also as a composer and producer.

For this Jazz Alley gig, Jones has assembled a stellar sextet featuring vocalist Christie Dashiell, Justin Robinson on alto sax (also a longtime member of the Roy Hargrove Quintet), and Giveton Gelin on trumpet. Along with Jones, the rhythm section will be anchored by the Gerald Cannon on acoustic bass, with Sam Hirsh on piano.

Willie Jones III Sextet at Jazz Alley

April 30 – May 1
Show times: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30pm, doors open at 6:00pm each night.
Visit Jazz Alley for additional information and tickets.