Sax man “A.J.†Jones was born Alfred Jones III on October 7, 1980 in Memphis, TN and got his musical beginnings from his mother and father who sang in a church choir the “Voices of Faith†at Greenhill Baptist Church at the age of five. After starting elementary school, A.J. took a liking to his music classes at age six. A.J. himself began to sing with Greenhill’s Youth Choir at age eight and began to take a liking to gospel and jazz music, also. By the time he was nine he became active in the community choirs, such as the People Helping People Community Choir. At age 12 his voice grew deeper and more mature than most children. In the 5th grade A.J. auditioned in the school chorus at Ringgold Elementary and for a spot in the Tennessee State Elementary Chorus showcase that took place in Nashville every year, where he was denied from both groups because of his mature voice. Shortly after the audition, a local middle school band director named Robin Johnston brought both of her bands from Northeast Middle School to perform for the 5th graders. As a 5th grader A.J. got his first live taste of the saxophone when Mrs. Johnston began to play the tenor sax and from then on A.J. has loved the saxophone to this day.As a middle school student attending Northeast Middle School, A.J. started teaching himself to play the saxophone by ear on September 11, 1992. A year later after transferring to Kenwood Middle School A.J.‘ s tone got the attention of his director, Mr. Kevin Luck when hearing A.J. make up solos off of the band pieces and began working with him; improvising and turning him on to Charlie “Bird†Parker’s music. He then performed with the school’s jazz band and concert band. He soon became an active saxophonist with the local community choirs of Clarksville, TN and Ft. Campbell, KY. Drummer, Joe Owens noticed A.J.’s talent and started bringing him to Youth Gospel Choir workshops in the area; his peers were shocked at the way he performed for his age. Everyone began to recognize the soul and emotion in A.J.’s sound as he played the saxophone. He later performed with many honor bands and improved year after year well into high school.As a member of Northeast High School’s concert band, A.J. was instrumental in helping NEHS achieve perfect ratings in every competition they entered that year. He auditioned for the NEHS Eagle Jazz Band, but was denied entry because of his classification as a freshman. Though not affiliated with a jazz band, A.J. remained active in the community choir scene and was the 1st saxophonist for the inaugural Youth United Community Choir in 1997 under the direction of producer Joe Owens and Rev. Emmanuel Barnes. A.J. continued his services with Youth United for more than two years and continues to support YU in all they do. After leaving NEHS, he transferred to Kenwood College Prep High School where he flourished as a saxophonist. A.J. became one of two musicians to win best overall musician twice at KHS as well as best jazz band musician. He developed a reputation as the "musician friendly" saxophonist in the community and even toured with Lazelle Brown; a local jazz-blues singer. A.J. also auditioned for the National Grammy High School Jazz Band in 2000 and made it to the semifinal cut.In March of 2000, A.J. enrolled at Jackson State University in Jackson, MS; where he marched with the “Sonic Boom of the South†Marching Band from fall of 2000- fall of 2001. The “Boom†received honors as the band of the year in 2000 on Black College Bands.Com & MarchingSport.com and won awards for best arrangement for 2000. While at JSU, A.J. performed with the New Jazz Ensemble under the direction of David Ware. In the fall of 2002, he became drawn to JSU Interfaith choir by a friend and director Darius Ewing who was searching for a skilled saxophonist. He began to blossom along side the JSU Interfaith Choir and performed for Mase and Richard Smallwood. A year later A.J. and JSU Interfaith opened for the Mississippi Mass Choir. In 2004, A.J. transferred from Jackson State to Langston University in Oklahoma where he continued playing with his saxophone for Langston University’s chapel services and gospel choir, the “Voices of I Amâ€. He has performed for over 20 events since he has arrived in Oklahoma and currently finishing his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Special Education as he establishes himself as a musician in the Oklahoma music scene. A.J. joined the group RAW Talent out Langston, OK in Spring 2006. In the Spring of 2007 A.J. decided to take a 7 month military leave of absence and transfer to University of Central Oklahoma. He also moved to Edmond,OK in January of 2008 after returning from his stint of military training. In January 2008 A.J. was hired by the Somlin brothers to play saxophone for their group P.P.I. (Party People Incorporated) out of Tulsa,OK. A.J. has just recently joined the 395th Division "Victory Band" in the U.S. Army. In August of 2008, A.J. officially became member of the Christlike Ministry Family as one of the saxophonist in the band "the Junk Band".
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