New York,NY. (Top40 Charts/ MBIBE Music) - Born in Methuen Massachusetts .Royal Jones began his collaborating in the late 70s with Nancy Rosenberg in Harvard
Square on 'The Stars Weren't Right'.
Rehearsing standards, jazz and show tunes with Berklee students in Boston, appearing in choruses while attending junior college, prompted RJ's departure from the Merrimack Valley area. Upon moving to Boston he studied voice with Ed Mousally at the Community Music center on Warren Ave. 'I was so devoted. I recall puking on the steps to the place. (I was just) so serious intending never to miss a lesson'.
Soprano Frances Demoulas Kettenbach taught at Bradford College and initiated a brief period of classical music studies for Jones' vocal development. Jay Pieleki in Hudson NH tried to perfect a screaming style, unsuccessfully I might add., Fred Jones from the Grace Church in Lawrence Mass helped assist with the chorale and protestant hymnal music exposure., Dante Pavone in Boston 's south end assisted with a pop style of training....laying flat on the ground and letting the notes pour forth from the core.Reknowned accompanist Jim Hix worked with Jones in the back bay of Bean Town while wowing the Fan Club ,a posh night club likened to NYC's Studio 54...It Paled in comparison however.Roger Hawk, John Mattick etc helped the young Jones with arrangements and exposure to jazz and pop !
Spending 2 years studying with New England Conservatory's Geraldine Berkovitz Martin in the third stream dept developed a treasured musical friendship.
Working closely with a coach is therapeutic and exposes your inner soul. It's like a spiritual much needed release. Other treasured friends who greatly influenced his style include Detroit councilwoman Martha Reeves .I'll never forget her coaching me �Unchained Melody' the famed Righteous Bros recording backstage at a gig. The lyrics Martha knows makes my head spin. An aficionado on Motown (the 60s period) Jones befriended Martha Reeves MOTOWN LEGEND at the historical BOTTOM LINE in NYC's Washington Square. Hard to imagine being such a devout absolute fan of this diva's incredible legacy of legendary recordings from Motown/Gordy, MCA, Arista, Fantasy, and now ITCH having the opportunity to actually discuss the legendary recordings creation at length and in vivid detail caused this devotee's head to spin... I mean to say is.' I was so impressed, inspired and in awe of. This was someone of the highest caliber I would try to emulate. A daunting task'....
A move to NYC in 1979 found RJ in the company of many cult icons. Some hanging out at NYC's 9th Circle in the west village and also at the legendary Studio 54.RJ was allowed frequent entry courtesy of a childhood best friend who had a job there as head waiter.
Oh the shows and the divas back then!
Alton McLain lived next door to the Circle and sang on the subway even! Imagine? How would I follow that? Fat Tuesday's (that Dizzy Gillespie hologram), and the aforementioned now defunct without a trace 'Bottom Line''Sweetwater's','Private's', 'The Horn of Plenty',' Reno Sweeney's',' Paul's Mall' in Boston. The 'Savoy' in Times Square in the 80s.I was fortunate to experience true soul greatness first hand. Martha Reeves, Darlene Love, Martha Wash,Cissy Houston, Mary Wells, Mary Wilson, Gwen Guthrie,Deniece Williams, Thelma Houston, The Staples, Ebony Jo-Ann, Whitney Houston as a baby with her Mama all over NYC,Aretha,Patti Labelle I was there at the theatre at Madison Square Garden, when she passed out on stage. Wow, how scary was that! We thought it was good theatre.and when party animal beautiful Phyllis Hyman joined Patti on stage for You are my friend at the Savoy theatre.,Sarah Dash at Sweetwater's and the Tunnel etc,Nona Hendryx bombing at the Bottom Line, Rough Trade booed off stage on Valentines Day at the Beacon. Wow! Wow even Shirley Bassey at Carnegie Hall ...who am I leaving out. Surely he digresses. Back to 'After taking in the show'....
Finally Royal Jones met with renowned musician Steve Sandberg who produced the Royal Jones 'Ruffle in a Bag of Plain' basement tracks. Remaining 'unreleased' due to lack of interest frankly and the financial undertaking it would have required at that space in time... There are14 tracks in all not including varying mixes of several and some very fabulous outtakes. Royal Jones has spent a lifetime recording his poetry and lyrics .A couple tracks from R I A B O P are featured in full length on the Royaljones.com website.
Royal Jones performed at on w13st at NYC OUT Music's at the GLHC ctr monthly show.Sandberg introduced the shy Jones to Out music at his own performance there .Jones' comparisons were quite comical yet uplifting: a disco Neil Young, an Amish Sylvester, Barbra, Aretha ....The song was RESCUE ME FROM MYSELF written by MJ Reilly and Steve Sandberg. An uneven performance to be kind. People need to grow ears. Thanks though!
Skip ahead to 2003 when Royal Jones met Richard Morris which led to a meeting with Eric "CODEE" Cody and the EP 'Make Things Nice' and the CD 'You Broke the Circle'. Both CDs include all original material by Jones,Codee and Mark Reilly and one by Sandberg as well!
Now RJ is working closely with the divine Janice Friedman. It seems good things do come to those who wait. His repertoire, expertise and range have increased significantly. A new found freedom is evident upon listening to some cover tracks being laid down. The show is 2 hrs long. The Show is 'Dear in the Headlights' an autobiographical one man Royal Jones show.
His latest collaboration being passed around unmixed and ruff is the catchy acoustic funk original 'NO TIME LIKE TODAY' written by Royal Jones and Janice Friedman.
Royal Jones' last NYC appearance was in January of 2006 when he was guest artist with the wonderful Stephanie Clark. He sang 'If I Ever Come Down' and 'Home' the Charles Smalls classic from 'the Wiz'. A staple in Jones repertoire for years.
Stay tuned .I hope you get to see the emotional eye poppingly odd Royal Jones.
