Vince Jones
“He’s a soulful survivor, with a voice as cool as a long G&T and a repertoire that balances jazz, rock and soul”
– Beat Magazine
Australia’s leading jazz vocalist, Vince Jones, is also a remarkable interpreter and composer of songs in a contemporary jazz style – a style that appeals equally to listeners and his musical peers. As a vocalist he resists showing off technique to the detriment of feel – he’s confident in his musical literacy and sings like there’s nothing to prove. It’s a refreshing approach that gives us, the audience, the chance to be really moved. Vince Jones also plays trumpet and over the years his style has developed a distinctive reserve and subtlety – he plays a little less and draws a good deal more from it than he did in earlier days. A brief, thoughtful solo from Vince is worth a hundred notes played with less discretion.
Jones grew up listening to his musician father’s collection of great jazz albums, and the feel, style and essence of the music became a natural part of his world. At 20, Vince began playing the club circuit in Melbourne. A loyal following developed and with each album and tour the Australian audience grew.
Through the 1990s Vince Jones and his band found success on the European circuit making an impression on reviewers, audiences and promoters. They played to packed houses in Germany, London, Switzerland, Denmark and the Netherlands including the major festivals – the North Sea, Montreux, Aarhus – and a range of more intimate venues.
His collaboration with Grace Knight - Come in Spinner - became the highest selling Australian Jazz Album of all time.More recently, Jones and his quartet were invited to take part in the 2022 MONA Art Gallery Tasmania Anniversary celebrations and he continues to mentor students at the Queensland Conservatorium.
With 50 years in the business and more than 25 albums to his name, Jones isn’t putting the trumpet down any time soon.