Leading jazz artist to bring soul to Benalla stage

For Mr Jones, jazz runs through his veins.

“My father was a jazz lover and a jazz musician, and my mother loved jazz,” Mr Jones said.

“The melodies are so rich.”

Hailing originally from Glasgow, Mr Jones moved to Wollongong, NSW when he was 11.

Nine years later, Mr Jones kick-started his career by playing throughout Melbourne’s renowned club scene.

Five decades in the industry and 25 albums has led Mr Jones to where he is now.

His dedication to the craft shines through, laying claim to being creator of the bestselling Australian jazz album of all time, Come in Spinner.

“Music has the ability to sort of sneak into people’s psyche and help them see something that wasn’t clear, or help them understand something that wasn’t necessarily easy to understand,” Mr Jones said.

“I like to paint little stories in people’s psyche.

“There’s elements of everything in the music that we write.”

Mr Jones said his trip to Benalla would acta as a way to increase the accessibility to arts in the area.

“It’s an opportunity for them to hear music that they wouldn’t necessarily hear,” Mr Jones said.

“The largest cities know where we’re coming from, they know what to expect.

“In the smaller towns, it takes a minute or two to understand what they’re being confronted with.”

Mr Jones and his band will be playing at Benalla Art Gallery on Sunday, May 4 from 6pm.

Mr Jones said he was looking forward to bringing his sound to the region.

“I’m excited if the audience gets excited,” Mr Jones said.

“We have some great musicians, so I’m really fortunate to be surrounded by these players that are just extraordinary.

“As long as we’re allowed to wash over them and they’re not too critical of us, I’m sure they’ll enjoy the music.”

To secure your spot for the show, book online at https://tinyurl.com/y4fbv4bv or call 5760 2619 or email gallery@benalla.vic.gov.au