FL Jones

Artist Information

Biography

“Love of music is one thing that every culture shares, and with a melody comes harmony.”

FL Jones’s story is one of funk and perseverance, of staying true to the music of his passion and roots in defiance of fashion or trends. Jones is a soul man who can do it all–sing, write and perform–and his gift for melody is at the forefront of his appeal.

From the time he was five years old and sang for his father’s friends at the local barbershop, music has been the focal point of Jones’s life. Influenced by the greats of soul–Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Parliament-Funkadelic, Aretha Franklin and Prince, Jones may have grown up in the age of hip-hop, but his heart has always belonged to the era of R&B bands, when performers had to “bring it” onstage every night.

Jones has honed his craft in clubs and theaters, discovering every way possible to entertain and make an audience groove. Moving to New York, he found that the challenges of the city brought out his best. In fact, six months after arriving here, he landed a leading role in the Australian company of the legendary musical, “Rent.” The production was a sensation in Australia, and led to FL’s performances on Australian morning television, singing in front of millions, as well as a Rolling Stone Australia interview and photo shoot.

Returning to the U.S., FL performed in a national tour of “Rent,” and then began playing live extensively in New York at such venues as the Jazz Standard, Sullivan’s Hall, the Bitter End and the Cutting Room. He also scored the feature film, “200 American” and served as a composer and music supervisor on the films “Whirlwind” and “Raw Moves.”

In 2009 FL released his solo debut album “Becoming Myself” working with producer and co-writer Michael Levey. The album was a critical success for FL garnering a semi-finalist nomination for “best new artist” on SoulTracks.com the largest indie-soul website in the world, and led to many festival and conference appearances such as M.E.A.N.Y. Fest in NYC, LAUNCH music conference, and Freedom Fest.

Since then, FL has gone on to write and produce tracks for other artists here in the US and in Mongolia, writing two songs for the upcoming CD for the winner of that countries version of American Idol called “mongolian Idol” Tselmuun Exodus. He also found time to act as music supervisor for a new film called “Naked As We Came In”.

During this period the songs from the debut album had been remixed by several DJ’s. Most notably DJ David Britton from Chicago, who’s remix of the ballad “3 weeks Later” led to FL being signed to a record deal with house music label Korner Gruve Records from NYC. The Feb. 20th Release of the “3 weeks Later” remix EP contained DJ Britton’s remix, the Victor (realm of House) Hernandez deep house remix, and a new soulful vocal house track written and produced by FL himself called “Heaven here Tonight”. The release has been a huge success, shooting to #1 on the first day of it’s release on the Kings of Spins top 20 chart of new releases. The songs are now receiving world-wide airplay, and are poised to be DJ favorites during the 2012 Winter Music Conference.

The foray into dance music allows FL Jones to reach a larger audience, but his heart and soul still belong to live music. As one of the hardest working people in the industry, he is currently in the studio finishing up his 2nd release which is called “Love Someone”. Never one to be afraid to take risks, the new six song EP is written and produced by FL Jones himself and will show a different side of the soul singer. Whereas on his first album Jones fuses his love of the golden age of soul with an infectiously modern luster that goes straight to the heart.
The new record he says “ is the closest I could ever come to doing a straight up rock record, with a splash of funk,. It’s a departure from before, but hopefully my fans will come along for a little musical detour”.

As with his debut “Becoming Myself” FL Jones is taking the soul tradition and pushing it forward, with a great new album, a commitment to pursue a bigger audience, and the intent to continue to redefine what is considered to be modern soul music.

Instrumentation

FL Jones

Discography

" Becoming Myself"
Solo debut CD


Soundtrack for the indie Film "200 American" available through wolfe video
scored entirely by FL Jones
featuring: "Simplicity" from the debut EP "FL Jones"

Soundtrack for the indie film "Whirlwind"
Featuring: 'Sexy Beast', 'I Choose You', &
'Hold The Tempo'
produced by Jupiter Box Productions
soon to be available on Wolfe Video.

"RAW Moves" Documentary
Broadcast around the World on World Aids Day
Scored by FL Jones

Providing original music for the film "Family' by Faith Trimel.

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• FL Jones @ Launch Music Conference
• Youtube

Audio

• Heaven here tonight
  Listen  
• 3 Weeks Later (Realm of House
  Listen  
• 3 Weeks Later (Britton radioM
  Listen  
• I Choose You
  Listen  
• Did I mention
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Waking up without you
• 3 weeks Later

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• URB Next 100 review [+ Show ]
  

  FL Jones is seeking to redefine soul music. Although he is a product of the hip-hop generation, this...FL Jones is seeking to redefine soul music. Although he is a product of the hip-hop generation, this New York native is drawn to live instrumentation. His music embraces sonic vibrations across cultures, genres, and movements. As an artist and song writer, he has performed in some of the more prestigious venues in New York (the Jazz Standard, Le Bar Bat, The Bitter End, The Cutting Room). However, his music expands much further than his experience as a live performer. Scoring the feature film 200 American, he demonstrated his ability to compose original songs for the entire film. FL Jones is a genuine artist and when it comes to music that is a rare thing. Whether he is singing about love, relationships or struggle, the lyrics and production are seamlessly intertwined to create a composition you can believe in. Having recently announced his debut CD, Becoming Myself, will be released soon, listeners should expect the songs to be a composite of Contemporary R&B with the Classics.
  
  

• Leisure Lab [+ Show ]
  

  Artist Feature: FL Jones http://leisurelab.com/2009/05/08/artist-feature-fl-jones/#more-1634 ...Artist Feature: FL Jones
  
  http://leisurelab.com/2009/05/08/artist-feature-fl-jones/#more-1634
  
  
  FL Jones has a unique background. He served as a US Marine in the Gulf, toured the world as a cast member of the Broadway musical RENT, served as an advocate for at-risk youth in inner city New York, and performed alongside artists such as James Brown, and CeCe Penniston. If that’s not enough, he also composed music for the films “200 American” and “Whirlwind.” While working full-time managing Youth Development grants for the NYC Department of Education, Jones managed to find time to record his debut solo album. His new CD is called Becoming Myself, and it’s available now.
  
  Jones’ sound blends vintage R&B, sophisticated pop, a touch of funk (”Living by the Funk”), and a hint of disco (”I Choose You”). But Becoming Myself is more about songwriting than genre, with sweet-sounding chord progressions and arrangements, and lyrics that often take an introspective tone without becoming self-involved. Jones takes his influences equally from Prince, Stevie Wonder, Sting and Seal, and the diversity of those influences is apparent in every song.
  
  If you haven’t already, we recommend getting to know FL Jones.
  
  

• FL Jones interview [+ Show ]
  

  http://www.fljones.com LI: Tell us a little about yourself. What made you get into the music busi...http://www.fljones.com
  LI: Tell us a little about yourself.
  What made you get into the music
  business?
  Who were your inspirations?
  I decided my life was going to
  involve music during High School.
  I had an incredible Band Director
  named Nathaniel Drake. He was
  my music mentor for 5 years
  throughout Junior High and High
  School. Even though I always
  loved to sing, and performed all
  
  
  MAGAZINE
  JUNE 2009
  8
  the time for my family, even as a baby, I didn't believe music would become the
  focal point of my life until I met him. Truly inspiring. That’s why I still work for
  kids now, in the hopes of helping them find the courage to do whatever they want to
  do.
  LI: Describe your music to our readers. What do you bring different to the table?
  What kind of feedback have you had thus far? What have been some of your challenges?
  I like to call it modern soul music, Nouveau Cameoesque, funkadelica with a splash
  of Sly. I write songs, if it doesn't make sense, I won't sing it. So I tried to make a
  record that people will feel on the first listen, but hear on the 3rd.
  So far the industry has really responded well to it. I have started to get a few festival
  bookings, and a lot of people are starting to ask to collaborate or offer some
  assistance. It's hard you know, I do this while working a 9-5, so someday, I definitely
  feel like a schizophrenic modern day renaissance man. I don't get a lot of sleep. But,
  the work I do for the education department feeds my spirit in an entirely different
  way.
  What upcoming projects to you have that readers should know about (if any)? *
  A film I served as music supervisor on, and wrote a few tracks for is now on DVD,
  it's an indie film called "Whirlwind". I also am working with this incredible
  producer from Jersey called M-Sol; I think he's about to remix a few things for
  Ultra Records. We have written a few tracks together that are for the club heads.
  REALLY love house! Have a few mixes coming soon to a dance floor near you! And
  also writing new material for the next record which will be much more like our live
  performances.
  LI: What kind of support have you received? If you needed help with anything, what
  would it be? The universe always provides, but I am doing this solo DIY. Am
  working with Countdown Entertainment now, they are great. But always looking
  for anyone who wants to establish a partnership. It's all still so new. Right now, I am
  trying to book a mini college tour, so anybody with a hook-up at a college...
  LI: Is there anything you want to add? Contact info? Upcoming shows? *
  Yeah, you can check me out at www.myspace.com/fljones, www.fljones.com
  The CD is available at http://www.cdbaby.com/fljones
  or itunes Support Indie Music!!
  LI: Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Playing everyday

• Soultracks review [+ Show ]
  

  I must admit during my first run through of Becoming Myself I wasn't prepared to hear the b...
  
  
  I must admit during my first run through of Becoming Myself I wasn't prepared to hear the big genre leaps to 80s pop/rock, then to acoustic house/disco, and then again to smooth soul, but play-by-play, they grew on me. Those genre jumps and Jones' hurried rhyme techniques may still be album pitfalls for some, but for me Jones's talent still finds a way to make these grooves blossom. What gives the album its calling card is the Northern soul tinge of Jones's vocals, a dry martini mix of Seal and Lenny Kravitz. Though most of Jones' vocal work could be reduced to clever whispers and the occasional gritty staccato grunt, here his execution proves smart, giving these songs a wit and expediency that will leave listeners' surprised. While the genre shifts may strike up some resistance with particular listeners, the album is still full of musical treats. Credibly, Jones briskly enters into AC pop when rendering the peppy 80s melodies on the regretful "Waking Up Without You," a particularly painstakingly arranged cut. "Hey Friend" (whose piano chords bare a striking resemblance to Sara Bareilles's "Love Song") and "Sexy Beast" are also cool retro innovations. He also toys with funk on the brief, Prince/James Brown-styled opener for "Living By the Funk," giving the song an ambient playfulness. Breezy Philly strings coat the big disco sounds of "I Choose You" and "Did I Mention" radiates those pulsating, Tortured Soul vibes. Solid production and supersonic musical fireworks make even the B-side offerings of the project passable. With just a couple of extra repeats, it's surprising how good Becoming Myself actually becomes.
  
  Notable tracks: "Hey Friend," "Did I Mention," "Waking Up Without You" and "I Choose You"
  
  Vocals: 2.5 stars
  Lyrics: 2 stars
  Music: 3 stars
  Production: 3 stars
  SoulTracks Call: Recommended
  

• Jazz and Soul Review [+ Show ]
  

  FL JonesBecoming Myself© 2008 Lotus Musiq "FL Jones has the qualities to become an overall eyecatch...FL JonesBecoming Myself© 2008 Lotus Musiq
  "FL Jones has the qualities to become an overall eyecatcher."1. Living by the Funk
  2. Satisfied
  3. 3 Weeks Later
  4. Waking up without You
  5. Did I Mention
  6. Trust Me
  7. I choose You (featuring Leah Johnson)
  8. Sexy Beast
  9. Becoming Myself
  10. Hey Friend
  11. Affirmation
  From theatre to film and back, pursuing that dream, that's Becoming Myself, the debut album by musical centipede FL Jones.
  First of all I don't think that Becoming Myself is a project that will shake the foundations of soul related music. On the other hand, the disc does contain some nice, contemporary sounds in which FL clearly tried to avoid repetition and tried to combine a soulish base with pop, funk and R&B influences, ending up with accessible, appealing songs as a result.
  In one way or another, FL Jones' debut, radiates joy and pleasure and etalates the fact that the accomplishment of this album has always been the man's dream. And 'the man' undoubtly possesses great qualities and skills. I think though that there's still quite some space for development and improvement. Fl's writing is good by all means and so is the construction of the songs. The factor that can improve most I feel is the production, which can be richer and fuller and will certainly add that little extra touch to lift the album to a higher level.
  Nevertheless tracks such as the uptempo dancefloor killer Did I Mention, the sexy ballads Trust Me and Becoming Myself, or the (quite mainstream sounding) Hey Friend, easily end up in the upper half of my quality scale.
  Becoming Myself certainly is an interesting album and FL Jones for me is one of those talented artists who excites my curiousity for the future.
  Just that little extra, and this might become an overall eyecatcher.
  Mildly recommended.

Setlist

Simplicity
Enuff
Golden (Jill Scott cover)
Life Goes On
Sexy beast
Addicted to yah
Waking up w/out you
Did I mention
Eleanor Rigby (beatles cover)

Basic Requirements

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