“His effortless sublime voice and command of his loved trumpet, will have you swooning under his captivating spell”.  Iain Shedden, The Australian

Devonport Jazz 2023, is delighted to welcome back one of our all time favourite artists, Australia’s leading legendary Jazz vocalist  with a voice as cool as a long G & T.  Vince Jones is also a remarkable interpreter and composer of songs in a contemporary unique 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.  Confident in his musical literacy and sings like there’s nothing to prove! It’s a refreshing approach that gives the audience the chance to be really moved…

Jones … he’s cool – he’s smooth ~ he’s one of Australia’s premier exponents of Jazz, Vince is that rare genre-defying artist who creates music without borders.

With a career now in its 50th year of performing; Jones has a catalogue of 22 albums, 3 ARIA awards and has sold close to a million cds worldwide. Reaching many mile-stones along his path that have sustained and enriched him internally.  Often being invited to mentor and share his pearls of wisdom with the next generation of up-coming Jazz musicians at Conservatoriums around Australia.

As a man who thinks deeply about the state of the world and our need to get back to a simpler way of living, themes of love, loss, injustice, nature and peace are woven through his original works. He is not afraid to speak out for causes close  to his heart.

An evening with Vince Jones, is set to be a night of musical indulgence. Audiences will enjoy his mellifluous timeless tones.  As Jones performs original material as well as new contemporary interpretations of his fave jazz standards by other greats, such as Ray Charles, Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, etc

Vince’s musical roots stem from his Scottish parents who were both musicians, his mother a singer and his father a horn player. Who both imparted their astute understanding of music in their time,  which had always stayed with him and informs his own unique style.

JONES comments, sometimes uncomfortably, about the world we live in from an unashamedly idealistic perspective. His readings of the Great American Songbook are true to composer and artist as are his ‘Van Morrison’s Masterpieces’ concerts; respecting the song, while making it his own.

Still, his creative output remains intense. new music with long-time collaborator, Paul Grabowski, is due in early 2023 while his 2020 retrospective, ‘A Personal Selection’ confirmed how important his contribution to Australian music has been.

Always particular about the musical company he keeps, he’s enjoyed playing with the best musicians the country has to offer and for these concerts the tradition continues with the extraordinary; 

Matt McMahon – piano,  |  Ben Robertson – double  bass  |  Felix Bloxsom & John Mackey – saxophone.

“A magical performance by Vince Jones, who now has one of the Best in a long line of exceptional bands”.  SMH

Photo credit MISH PHOTOGRAPHY