About Me
Jones was formed in 1999 by drummer Brian Calhoun, bassist Pete Burt, and singer Zack Galler in Montgomery with an emphasis on group song writing. The years that followed would find the group incorporating a range of musical genres while slowly cultivating a completely original sound. From the beginning, Jones has had a love affair with rock and reggae and has toyed with blending the two styles. For a few years, the collaboration of MC Greg Gonzalez lead to hip-hop being thrown into the mix. In the Spring of 2003, the addition of guitarists Harry Morris and Aaron Freeman lead to an interest in Latin music and the composition of two salsa influenced tunes that are staples of Jones live shows today. At the same time, keyboardist Dave Wyrtzen joined the group, further moving the group towards a completely unique sonic landscape.
The eclectic sound Jones built in this period was captured on the 2004 release The Pears In Heavy Syrup EP. Pears featured a Latin song (Pears in Heavy Syrup), a dance hall/reggae tune (Red Light), hip-hop based songs (The Line, Trajectory Silence), as well as more straight ahead rock songs. Because of the group's wide reaching sound, Jones began to achieve recognition in the New Jersey reggae and jam band scenes. The band played to packed crowds at Asbury Park's famed Stone Pony, opening for The Wailers and then returning to be a part of The Great Bamboozle, headlined by Jam Band heavy hitters Medeski, Martin, and Wood and Carl Denson’s Tiny Universe, followed by a supporting show with Blues Traveler.
Shortly after the release of Pears, the group set up a home base in New Brunswick, NJ – home of Rutgers University and hometown of many successful bands such as the Bouncing Souls. Every other weekend, it became the norm for Jones to play to capacity crowds at the Harvest Moon in downtown New Brunswick and earned the title of New Jersey's Best Jam Band by the Star Ledger. As the group built a strong New Brunswick following, Jones also began frequenting new Jersey venues like Mexicali Blues, in support of reggae giants Eek-A-Mouse and Jimmy Cliff.
Jones is currently at work on their second studio work. The new tracks will represent a slim-downed, more unified sound, which, rather than jumping from genres, has incorporated all influences into something completely unique. While the main templates for the new songs remain reggae and rock, the new sound represents the latest evolution of Jones that is much more forward looking. The group has hit its stride, continuing to play high energy shows and pushing itself with songwriting.
