Carnegie Hall's National Youth Orchestra (NYO Jazz) is embarking on a debut tour to South Africa later this month.
Trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and NYO Jazz's Artistic Director Sean Jones is leading an ensemble with vocalist Alicia Olatuja as Special Guest.
Before the debut performances in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, NYO Jazz performs at Carnegie Hall on July 20.
South African Guest Soloists for Tour: Saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane, Bassist Romy Brauteseth, Pianist Afrika Mkhize, and Trumpeter Muneeb Hermans Program to Include Big Band Favorites, New Arrangements, and New Carnegie Hall-Commissioned Work by South African Composer Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane.
Sean Jones spoke to WBGO's Doug Doyle about the upcoming life-changing tour that runs from late july through early August.
"I'm thrilled and excited for several reasons. I've never been to South Africa and always wanted to go there. I'm really excited to set my feet on a different part of the world. I've been doing this for a little while now. I'm no longer the young lion. I jokingly said recently that I'm not a young lion anymore, I'm a middle-aged reflector (laughs). So it's nice to get some firsts in. These young folks are rehearsing at SUNY Purchase and it's going very well. The music is awesome. I'm just excited to share this experience with the folks down in South Africa."
Jones has been teaching for 20-plus years. What is the secret to his success in shaping wonderful student concerts in a short period of time?
"I've learned that when you lead with love you bring people together. I try to remind them the best way that I can that we are people first. We are part of this wonderful world community, this society and we can't make it without one another. So, I get them first to fall in love with the music but also fall in love and surround themselves with love for one another as people, as people that are different from them. I try to get them to embrace their differences. The music is just a by-product as what we try to do as human beings bringing them together. I'm really fortunate to be in the position that I'm in at Carnegie Hall and I'm thankful for the opportunity to be able to spend real time with these young people."
Music and spirituality have always been intertwined in the artistic vision of trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator, and activist Sean Jones. Mr. Jones sang and performed as a child with the church choir in his hometown of Warren, Ohio, and switched from playing the drums to the trumpet at the age of 10.
When it comes to this upcoming trip to South Africa, Jones has his own approach to traveling.
"I typically don't like to go anywhere knowing anything. I just like to be surprised and let the Spirit lead me to where I'm supposed to be. When I arrive at any location, I typically don't prepare for it. I just kind of like to be told what to do. I let the citizens lead me to the spots. Obviously that being said, I'm curious about certain things. I'm curious about the scene, the food and the people in general. I'm looking forward to getting a few runs in even though its technically winter time there, and just kind of letting the lay of the land take me to where it wants me to be."
Sean Jones has been prominently featured in recordings and performances with many major figures in jazz, including Illinois Jacquet, Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, Nancy Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Gerald Wilson, and Marcus Miller. He was selected by Mr. Miller, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter for their A Tribute to Miles tour in 2011. He has also performed with the Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Youngstown symphony orchestras, as well as Soulful Symphony in Baltimore and a chamber group at the Salt Bay Chamberfest.
You can SEE Doug Doyle's entire interview with Sean Jones here.
