Tenor saxophonist Rico Jones explains his concept of creating a 'cinema of sound,' discusses navigating multiple cultural identities in jazz, and reveals how his Indigenous and Hispanic heritage inform his music without constraining it.
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The Spotlight shines On tenor saxophonist Rico Jones.
Rico's new album BloodLines captures something you don't hear much anymore—a live recording that feels like a complete story. Recorded at Brooklyn's Ornithology, it's five original compositions that explore his multicultural heritage, from his Indigenous and Latino roots to his deep connection with Black American musical traditions.
Based in Harlem, Rico's already performed with Esperanza Spalding at the Blue Note and co-led the first all-Indigenous big band. His approach to jazz honors the past while pushing forward, whether he's working with veterans like Joe Martin and Nasheet Waits or mentoring students in Jersey City.
(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Rico Jones’s album BloodLines)
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[00:01:17] - Why choose live recording over studio
[00:02:56] - Structuring music as cinematic suite
[00:04:31] - John Williams and film score inspiration
[00:06:42] - Cultural heritage and musical identity
[00:09:44] - Navigating multiple cultural communities
[00:12:07] - Art as pathway into other cultures
[00:14:20] - Music's role in worship and spirituality
[00:17:55] - Improvisation as spiritual flow state
[00:20:14] - Creating "cinema of sound" for audiences
[00:21:06] - Preparation enabling transcendent performance
[00:23:46] - Technique as foundation for transcendence
[00:24:41] - Building the dream team: Joe Martin and Max Light
[00:27:47] - Guitar's unique role in jazz harmonic palette
[00:30:10] - Leading experienced musicians as young artist
[00:31:16] - Jazz as American folk music tradition
[00:38:48] - The weight of leadership on the bandstand
[00:41:57] - Teaching as giving back to the community
[00:46:40] - Performing with Esperanza Spalding
[00:51:10] - Album details and contact information
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Visit Rico Jones at https://www.ricojonesmusician.com
and follow him on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/ricojonesmusic
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/ricojonessaxophist
and [YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ricojonesmusic
- Rico Jones' Bloodlines album is out now on Giant Step Arts → https://www.giantsteparts.org
and can be purchased from Bandcamp → https://ricojonesjazz.bandcamp.com/album/bloodlines
or Qobuz → https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/bloodlines-rico-jones/e175zl0qn9w6b
and you can listen on your streaming platform of choice → https://album.link/i/1820094965
For extensive show notes, links, and podcast information, go to https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com
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