Music
Press
"As a jazz pianist, Jones commands a lavish arsenal of formidable weapons: the rumbling bass lines of an Erroll Garner or Dave McKenna, the meteoric right-hand phrasings of an Art Tatum or Bud Powell, the awesome chops of an Oscar Peterson or McCoy Tyner, the natural rhythmic swing of a Hampton Hawes or Horace Silver, the unerring taste and sensitivity of a Kenny Barron, Hank Jones or Bill Evans." - Cadence Magazine
"Even if pianist Mike Jones provided nothing but the keyboard virtuosity for which he is developing a national reputation, he would be well worth hearing. But Jones brings much more to this tour de force recording, which places him in a league with such superior solo pianists as Dick Hyman and Dave McKenna." - La Times and Chicago Trib
"The Most remarkable pure technique of any piano player working in jazz today...over the course of three solo albums, Mike Jones has quietly established himself as the successor to the stupefyingly virtousic Oscar Peterson, in much the same way Peterson took the baton from the previously peerless Art Tatum in the 1950's." - VP of the Grammies
Discography
Live at the Green Mill: 2005, Chiaroscuro;
Tamburr-Jones; 2001; SlammerJazz Records (Special Guest Penn Jillette on track 9;
Stretches Out: 2001; Chiaroscuro;
Live at Steinway Hall; 1998; Chiaroscuro;
Runnin' Wild; 1994; Chiaroscuro;
Oh! Look at Me Now! 1993; Chiaroscuro;
Photos
Bio
Mike Jones is a pianist playing timeless jazz.
The man recreates a lost jazz art form. He has made a mission of carrying on the tradition of two handed solo piano jazz with a new twist. Mike's music encompasses styles ranging from James P. Johnson and Fats Waller through Art Tatum and up to Dave McKenna and Oscar Peterson. For years, Mike performed at the finest jazz clubs in the Northeast, including Zinno, and Toast in New York, and Scullers and the Regatta Bar in Boston. Mike even appeared daily on the Nancy Merrill Show, a live television show on the CBS affiliate WHDH Channel 7 in Boston, before finding himself on stage nightly with Penn and Teller in Las Vegas.
Since 1993, Mike was on Hank O'Neal's legendary jazz label, Chiaroscuro.
In 1999, Mike was featured, along with Oscar Peterson, Clark Terry, Shirley Horn, and Monty Alexander at the 17th annual Floating Jazz Festival, held on board the Queen Elizabeth II. In 2000, Mike was on board again, this time with Roy Hargrove, John Hendricks, and Diane Schurr. He has also been featured on the Norwegian Cruise Lines Jazz Festival, and at the Ultimate Caribbean Jazz Spectacular.
His first release, "Oh! Look At Me Now!" went on to become the Chiaroscuro's best selling title by a new artist. His follow up, "Runnin' Wild", was released in 1996 to critical acclaim. When his third release "Live At Steinway Hall" launched in 1997, Mike became a much sought-after solo live performer.
Since relocating to Las Vegas, Mike has recorded several more CD's, including "Stretches Out", with liner notes by Penn Jillette of Penn and Teller, and "The Tamburr-Jones Trio" recorded at the Vintage Nude Studios with world class vibes player, Christian Tamburr. "Music to Look at Boxes By", a compilation of songs from the Penn and Teller pre-show features the Mystery Bass Player from the Mike Jones Duo!
Mike's latest release, "Live at the Green Mill" was recorded in Chicago in 2004, with bassist Kelly Sill and drummer Tim Davis.
Jones was Featured at SXSW, 2007
Mike Jones is married, and lives in Las Vegas, NV. He can be seen nightly at the Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino, in the Penn and Teller Theater, opening up and performing in the Penn and Teller show. His music was heard during Penn Jillette's Radio Show on Free FM. "The Monkey Tuesday" theme song for that show is now a favorite download of ringtones enthusiasts.
Mike Jones is a Kawai artist.
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