Artist description On my birth certificate, the father's occupation simply states "musician." Simply stated, Frank James Jones aka Frankie J is a musician. He has been performing professionally for 47 years, and he has no intention of stopping now.

Music Style R&B, Jazz, Soul, Classical

Musical Influences Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, Little Richard

Artist History Frank, the youngest of four, was born February 6, 1941 in the small, logging town of Mc Cloud, CA. He and his family re-located to the San Francisco Bay Area to live. Frank's music career began at the tender age of 7, when his first instrument, tenor saxophone, was replaced by his signature love, the piano. Through sheer determination and occasional necessity, Frank also taught himself to play the Hammond B-3 organ, the vibraphone, and bass and electric guitars. Shortly after high school, Frank moved forward with his dreams of success. From 1964-1968, he was co-owner of Beechwood-Villa Records, which produced the hits, "Why Must You Cry" and "Why Do I Do These Foolish Things" by Bay Area recording artist "The Magicians." Leading "The Frank Jones Orchestra," he was the headliner at many Bay Area nightclubs. He toured Hawaii from 1969-1973 as "Frank and the Music Conversion," and tore it up at the legendary Playboy Club in San Francisco. Later, "The Frank Jones Trio" went abroad for a USO tour including Taiwan, Korea, and Japan, and was featured act on the Jerry's Kids'Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. Frank's group was also an opening act for The Sons of Champlin, a band led by Bill Champlin, formerly of the group "Chicago." After his travels, Frank relocated from San Francisco to Sonoma County attending Sonoma State University, Majoring in Music. It was there that he fine tuned his skills as a pianist, organist, keyboardist, composer, songwriter, producer,arranger, musical director, orchestrator, and vocalist. While still performing throughout Northern Cali, including the Robert Mondavi Winery, Niebaum-Coppola Winery (Francis Ford Coppola), Harlan Estate Winery, The Charles Schultz' Annual Birthday Celebration, and a special performance with the Legendary Cab Calloway at the Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa, Frank then embarked upon an area of music he had yet to experience: teaching. Again, necessity, 'Jones determination,' and more than a little help from God assisted him in one of his most rewarding experiences to date. From 1989-2001, Frank taught private piano lessons to more than 200 students in Sonoma and Napa counties. What is on Frankie's plate today? "My immediate goals are to produce my daughter, Christina Jones, and complete a gospel cd using the talents of many artists. My long-term goals are to perform classical piano recitals, to re-establish The Frank Jones Orchestra, and to compose big band arrangements for gospel music to be aired on the Randall Horton Live nationally syndicated television gospel show. Frankie's current cd, "A Frankie J Christmas - It's All Seasonal!" is a significant turning point in finding his life's purpose; joining together families and friends to create beautiful music to share with the world promoting love, peace, and a sense of purpose for all humans, regardless of race, sex, religion, age, or political status.

Instruments Piano, Hammond organ, vibraphone, bass, guitar, various keyboards

Albums A Frankie J Christmas - It's All Seasonal!

Press Reviews Willits News; Ukiah Press

Location Willits, CA - USA

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