Jimi Jones is a native of Akron , Ohio where he studied piano, percussion and trumpet at the University of Akron Conservatory of Music while still in high School. His early influences include Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Art Blakey and Tony Williams. Being from Ohio he was also influenced by such funk pioneers as the Ohio Players and James Brown, who recorded on the "King" label out of Cincinnati . Ted notes, "Jimi was my first choice on drums because he can lay down the funk and play any jazz tune with amazing sensitivity. He has big musical ears and comes to play."
Jimi moved to DC in 1980 where he became a veteran of the DC music scene. He played with a wide variety of bands, ranging from the avant garde Brother Ah and the Sounds of Awareness to the blues and R&B sounds of the Charles Sayles Band and Dave Sherman and The Nightcrawlers. He also contributed original material to both bands.
Jimi is a world traveler and has a special affinity for Southeast Asia . "Yeah, man, I want to see it all. But I always head back to Thailand , people are kind of mellow there. I've got some business ventures going on down there which gives me the opportunity to go often." If you want to know where the good Thai food is, just ask Jimi.
Bassist Greg Rice says the following, "Jimi is great to play with. He can find where you are and stick like glue. He is also a great band mate and is always ready to cut up and have a good time.
Jimi has a good voice and can easily handle lead or backups and is a solid collaborator in rehearsal on some of the arrangements. Jimi adds, "There are some damn good players in this band, you never know what some one will come up with." |
