Lionel A. Jones, Jr.

Biography & Career

Lionel Jones was born in Verdun France. Traveling most of his young life, Lionel calls the world his home. Having roots in Baltimore Maryland, Lionel cultivated his musical sounds of urban contemporary to blend in with different genres from around the world. Lionel started his formal music training on the snare drum at a Junior High School in Wahiawa, Hawaii. Lionel played in his High School drum line and received the John Phillips Sousa Award. Following graduation he took his talents to the Hutchisnson Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps. He completed his Bachelors Degree in Music Education at New Mexico State University. Lionel discovered his unique talent for the vibraphone at N.M.S.U. He was encouraged to pursue vocal training because of his smooth and lyrical voice. So Lionel accepted a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied both vocal and percussion training for a year. While at Berklee, Lionel performed with such jazz notables as Cyrus Chestnut, Delphio Marselus, Mark Whitfield, and Jeff Sparks. He furthered his formal musical training by completing Master Degree courses at Jacksonville State University. Lionel has toured all over the world. He has performed in such places as Germany, London England, Canada, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. After college, Lionel spent 6 years performing percussion instruments and singing in the Army Band. Continuing to pursue his musical career he remained in the South and calls Atlanta, Georgia his home. Lionel's creative style brings you into a world that has no boundaries. His music is an inspiration to all those who hear it. Lionel made a guest appearance on Arrow Records Christmas Holiday release of "Christmas Presents." He has sang background vocals at the Gospel Heritage Music Awards for such notables as Donnie McClurkin, V. Michael McKay, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, Byron Cage, Andre Crouch, and Tonex. Lionel has also given vocal support for Larnel Harris and Babie Mason. Lionel opened in concert for gospel greats like Dottie Peoples and Helen Baylor. Lionel Jones is a brilliant musicain with extraordinary talent to create jazz music that soothes the soul, restores peace of mind and ushers you into the place of tranquility we all long for. Sit back and relax as the melodious sounds of smooth jazz vibraphone and vocals calm your spirit, soul and body. Lionel has currently finished his latest project entitled "Papa Jones". It is a wonderful fusion of smooth jazz that closley resembles the music of such greats as Pat Metheny, Spyro Gyro, and the Rippington's. You will be pleasently suprised with Lionel featuring the talents of Canton Jones on the New Edition Hit "Can You Stand the Rain" and Debra Killings is also featured on the single "I Can See the Sun." Lionel also adds a splash of contemporary christian with the hit single "Awesome God". Atlanta, GA. --Tuesday, December 11, 2007-- The debut CD Papa Jones (Color Code Purple Productions/Central South) from vibraphonist Lionel Jones is in stores now. This intoxicating mix of supremely elevated spiritual jazz and powerful praise and worship features the scintillating talents of vibraphonist Lionel Jones on his sparkling freshman project. Papa Jones has been generating major excitement and hot buzz even before it was in stores. In September, Papa Jones won Best Jazz Album at the En Sound Music Awards. The new CD has also received a Stellar Award nomination in the category of Instrumental Gospel CD of the Year. Papa Jones is now available at retail and at www.lioneljones.com. Lionel recently performed at the Gospel Superfest in Atlanta and at the Bobby Jones Gospel Retreat in Hollywood Florida this past November. Lionel will also be performing onstage in the new season of The Gospel of Music with Jeff Majors, which Lionel taped in Los Angeles last September. Lionel is proud to have Canton Jones and Debra Killings as guest artists on Papa Jones. "I believe that the songs on Papa Jones are inspired by both the written and preached, true Word of God. The seeds that have been sown in my heart, my soul and my spirit have shown me that this is what God has ordained for me to do, with me as his vehicle and the vibraphone as mine," Lionel said.