DESCRIPTION:
Born in New Orleans in 1954, Wendell Bruniuos grew up in a first class musician family. His father, John Brunious, played the trumpet and the piano and arranged music for, amongst other, Billy Eckstein and Cab Calloway. Wendell's uncle Willie Santiago instead, had been working with the legendary Buddy Bolden and was one of the first guitarist to be recorded.
Therefore, Brunious grew up in a daily musical surrounding from a very young age, playing the trumpet and singing. His first recording dates back to when he was only 9 years old, and since then he performed with the Jazz Band Preservation Hall (for more than 23 years!) and with musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Bob Haggard, Harry Connick Jr. His music has a particular taste. He himself considers it a great honour to be the descendant of such a rich music tradition. His style is particularly innovative and combines traditional sounds to some be-bop vibes. A genre that makes him a unique solo artist.

Compared many times to Louis Armstrong for his overwhelming swing and its particular feel and admired many times in Ascona: Leroy Jones is one of the best trumpeter of New Orleans at present. Strongly influenced by the cities traditional jazz, Leroy Jones is one of the innovators of this music thanks to his outgoing personality as a solo artist and his resolution and passion in welcoming influences of Blues, Rhythm & Blues and even Bop in his music.
His mission is to introduce us to the true New Orleans music, the music of Louis Armstrong, Buddy Bolden, Danny Barker and all the great musicians who contributed in the creation of this unique sound whilst including a contemporary touch. "I grew up with R&B and James Brown. My interpretation of traditional Jazz is not so traditional" confirms Leroy Jones. Also an excellent singer, Leroy Jones began his career in the school band playing trumpet and performed, at the age of thirteen, with guitarist Danny Barker's „Fairview Brassband". After completing his studies when he was eighteen, he formed the Hurricane Brass Band which included many of the musicians members of the more famous Dirty Dozen Brass Band. In the early nineties, Jones got noticed by the Big Band singer Harry Connick Jr. and in 1995 critics also acknowledged him thanks to the release of his first solo-CD "Mo'Cream From the Crop". The success was then confirmed by the fabulous second release of the album dedicated to Louis "Pops" Armstrong. As well as touring and producing with is old friend Connick, Jones often performs live with his Quintet. Since 2004 Jones is member of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and plays with Dr. John.