Biography
Duke Jones
Biography
Trumpeter Albert Jones is affectionately known to all friends and followers as “Duke”. A nickname he acquired from his aunt, because of his love of music at an early age. A native of New York City via White Plains. Duke began playing trumpet at the age of nine. In elementary school and through Woodlands High School, Duke played and formed a band with The Lewis Brothers and Sharon Bryant. The group, which ultimately became the popular R&B / Pop success “Atlantic Starr”, recorded their first two albums, “Radiant”(1980) and “Brillance” (1982), both featuring Duke. This led to the recording of Duke’s debut solo album for CTI Records entitled “Thunder Island”.
With influences such as Kenny Dorham, Woody Shaw, Lee Morgan, Benny Bailey, Hugh Masekela and of course, Miles Davis, all of whom helped shape Duke’s trumpet voice. Duke went on to tour Japan, Europe and Africa, working with established musicians such as The Temptations, Angela Bofill, Larry Coryell and Marion Meadows. He began collaborating and recording with such artists as August Darnell of Kid Creole and the Coconuts, and drummer, producer Norman Connors, serving as an original member of his Starship Orchestra and spin-off group Aquarian Dream on Buddah Records. After joining the Starship Orchestra, Duke toured the world performing in all major American cities during a six months tour. Then performing at the Montreux Jazz festival with Norman Connors and Pharaoh Sanders. Recording the live classic album “ Beyond A Dream “ for Clive Davis Arista records. Going on to record several albums for Arista over the years for Norman Connors with vocalist Phyliss Hyman. Duke Jones was the original co-founder of the world famous R&B supergroup “ Atlantic Starr “. Which they recorded several gold and platinum albums in the 80s and 90s. The groups first two albums recorded in 1977 at Bell Sound studios New York under the name NEWBAN have become worldwide cult classics. The free sound of Jazz and funk recorded during the 70s period of flower power , Hippies and avant garde jazz.
In 1992, Duke served as Vice President of Creole Records, a label started with then band mate August Darnell (Kid Creole). The label, distributed by Nippon Columbia, released seven CD’s in Japan and the U.S. with one CD, “The KC2 Meets KC3”, becoming the fifth largest selling English speaking record in Japan.
In 2005, he formed Café Soul All-Stars and recorded their debut CD “Love Pages” which featured George Benson, Roy Ayers and Kenny Garrett among other great musicians From 2005 onward to the present. Duke Jones was Head of Production & Head of A & R for You Entertainment. Essence Magazines newly formed record label started by Clarence O. Smith , former President and co-founder of Essence Magazine. Starting with the “ Essence Music Festival in New Orleans in 2005. He recorded the “ Café Soul Allstars live album . This was recorded during the festivals 7-day cruise after party leaving New Orleans for Mexico at Midnight of the last performance of the festival on Saturday night. Working for this new label Duke traveled frequently to Rio de Janiero Brazil where he recorded several landmark albums featuring the collaboration of Afro-Brazilian artists and Afro-American artists doing classic R&B songs in a Brazilian style , while recording classic Brazilian songs in a R&B style. Soon to be released “ Soul of Brasil “. Also producing Brazilian recording artist vocalist “ Fernanda Noronha “ .
During this period, Duke represented long time friend and mentor, American icon photographer
“ Gordon Parks “. His photography and artwork was acquired and displayed in all the Major
Hotel galleries in Las Vegas. We also collaborated on several new songs with Mr. Parks. Now today, his talents are being focused on the success of the Bassline Live record label.
Bringing classic JAZZ, R&B, POP, to audiences infused with sounds of the Diaspora.
AFRICA/BRAZIL/CARIBBEAN/AMERICA “ ABCA “ . This is the true future of music. Bringing long separated cultures together through music.
