Mon Jun 30
Rico Jones Quartet - Emerging Artist Mondays
7PM / $25 | $7 Fees Get Tickets
Rico Jones
Rico Jones Quartet at Blues Alley – June 30, 2025 Blues Alley proudly welcomes saxophonist Rico Jones, a rising force in jazz, to its historic stage during our 60th anniversary celebration. Hailed by Vincent Herring as “one of the few original voices emerging”, Jones has built a reputation for his expressive sound, deep musicality, and compelling original compositions. A National Yamaha Young Performing Artist and Vandoren Emerging Artist competition winner, Jones has also earned multiple DownBeat Magazine awards and been recognized for his artistry by the Manhattan School of Music. His music reflects a rich tapestry of influences, blending modern jazz with profound storytelling drawn from his multicultural heritage and the mentorship of jazz luminaries like George Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Vincent Herring, and Bennie Maupin. As a sideman Jones has performed with artists such as Bobby Watson, David Kikoski, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Victor Jones, and Philip Harper to name a few. This performance will feature music from Jones’ forthcoming album, Bloodlines, set to be released on the highly regarded non-profit jazz label Giant Step Arts, one of the most significant platforms for contemporary jazz. A deeply personal and cinematic work, Bloodlines explores themes of ancestry, spirituality, and musical tradition, showcasing Jones’ compositional depth and expressive improvisation. For this special night, Jones will be joined by an exceptional ensemble featuring Max Light (guitar), Anthony Golden (bass), and Jerome Gillespie (drums). Expect an evening of powerful improvisation, soulful melodies, and dynamic interplay as Jones brings his vision to life at one of the country’s most iconic jazz venues.
pushing the boundaries of jazz while honoring its traditions. In 2024, he recorded his debut all-original album under Giant Step Arts, a nonprofit founded by jazz photographer Jimmy Katz, whose catalog includes Mark Turner, Jonathan Blake, Chris Potter, and Eric Alexander.
Rico has performed with some of the world’s most esteemed jazz artists. As a sideman, he has worked with The Mingus Big Band, David Kikoski, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Papo Vázquez, Philip Harper, Bobby Watson, Sylvia Cuenca, Essiet Essiet, Veronica Swift, Sasha Berliner, Cyrus Chestnut, Russell Hall, Paul Bollenback, and John Di Martino.
Leading his own ensembles, he has collaborated with Victor Lewis, Vincent Herring, Eric Harland, Jonathan Blake, Dezron Douglas, Lonnie Plaxico, Max Light, Nasheet Waits, Joe Martin, Matt Penman, Dan Weiss, Yasushi Nakamura, Ari Hoenig, Lage Lund, and Colin Stranahan.
Rico has also been a featured guest with Peter Washington, Joe Farnsworth, Sullivan Fortner, Eric Wyatt, and Jonathan Kreisberg. In large ensemble settings, he has performed alongside Esperanza Spalding, Terence Blanchard, Joe Lovano, Ingrid Jensen, Bobby Sanabria, Javon Jackson, and Terell Stafford.
7PM / $25 | $7 Fees Get Tickets
1. Final sale, no refunds, not transferable.
2. $15 food/beverage minimum per person not included in ticket price.
3. Seating first come at the door. Doors open 6 PM & 8:45 PM respectively.
4. Photography or Recording of any kind is prohibited during the performance.
5. Keep conversation to a minimum during the performance.