PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS THE OFFICIAL MYSPACE PAGE FOR MIKE "JONESY" JONES.
Mike Jones- "Stretches Out"
"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."
- Jack Bowers,
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."
-Howard Reich,
Los Angeles Times
"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."
-Neil Tesser
Author; The Playboy Guide To Jazz
Columnist for JAZZIZ magazine, VP of The Grammies (tm)
"Mike Jones is a true virtuoso, a two-handed pianist who often recalls Oscar Peterson while throwing in some heated stride now and then, along with basslines worthy of Dave McKenna"
-Scott Yanow
Cadence Magazine
"He displays a ferociously driving independence of right and left-hand lines.and a reflective lyricism tastefully distant from the floral bouquets of other chops-endowed pianists."
-Jack Sohmer
JAZZ TIMES
"He is after (Dave) Mc Kenna, the great living Mainstream Monster of jazz piano, with great taste in standards and a sense of swing strong enough to rock the reading room of the British Museum. And, incredibly, he's getting better as he gets older."
-Jeff Simon
The Buffalo News
"The right hand is constantly in motion, the wellspring of perceptive ideas lavish and overflowing, while the left hand lays down a heavy bass line that would be the envy of many a master of the upright."
-Jack Bowers
Cadence Magazine
"Although he can also rip Tatum-esque lightning bolts and cross - chop the format like Oscar Peterson, speed is not really at issue. It's Jones's playful and original treatments of the oldies that make his choices fresh and engaging.his syntax is always polite and his melodies correct."
-Fred Bouchard
Downbeat Magazine, The Boston Phoenix
"To put Mike Jones in perspective, one would only have to look around the room during his performances at the 1999 Floating Jazz Festival. Among the people who came to hear him play night after night, were Oscar Peterson, Monty Alexander, Shirley Horn and Junior Mance; not exactly folks who are easily impressed.he interprets great songs, with an uncanny sense of melody, innovation, and unfathomable technique.he's simply incredible!"
-Jon Bates
Full Biography found at JonesJazz.com.
This artist is found performing 240 nights a year welcoming the guests entering the Penn & Teller theater for the performances each night at the Rio Casino off the strip in Las Vegas. When not performing in front of the Penn & Teller fans, and during their show, he is in Los Angeles, or in Chicago, or New York, or wherever jazz piano fans lead him.
From 1993, Mike has been 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 Chiarascuro'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 also brought the house down with a recent appearance the world famous Jazz Bakery, in Los Angeles, where guests included Penn & Teller, Simpsons Executive Producer, David Silverman. Letterman's former writer, and CBS comedy writer and producer Eddie Goradetsky, crew and cast from Clint Eastwood's Artie Shaw movie, and Los Angeles based jazz artist Kathleen Grace among others.
Jones was a Featured at SXSW, 2007
Purchase great Mike Jones gear at Jones' Cafe Press Shops!
Mike Jones is proud to be a Kawai, using one each night on the Penn & Teller stage. He also enjoyed his recent premiere at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles, and is invited to play there in the upcoming months for 2007.
