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EUGENIE JONES “EUGENIE” EUGENIE JONES UNVEILS SELF-TITLED ALBUM — A GROOVE-INFUSED JOURNEY INTO PASSION, BETRAYAL, & REVENGE Since her 2013 debut Black Lace Blue Tears, singer and songwriter Eugenie Jones has established herself as a formidable force in the jazz landscape, captivating audiences with her evocative storytelling and soulful vocal artistry. With this sixth release and thirty-two published originals to her credit, EUGENIE further cements her reputation as a must-know artist, showcasing thirteen tracks that blend original compositions with fresh, "Eugenie-ized" interpretations of jazz standards and beloved soul classics. Critics are already buzzing about the album. C. Michael Bailey raves, "Eugenie Jones has released exceptional jazz-oriented recordings for the last decade. Her writing is beautifully grown up and real, and her voice is warm, humidly pliant with a deeply sensual center." NEA Jazz Master Reggie Workman, who performed on with Jones on her chart-topping double-CD, Players, describes Jones saying, “This is an extraordinary singer, songwriter, and a source of a light we are fortunate to experience.” The album features a stellar lineup of sixteen musicians in New York and Seattle recording sessions. Jones collaborates with Plaxico in New York alongside the standout artistry of pianists Brandon McCune and Mamiko Watanabe; trumpeter Gil Defay; saxophonist Rico Jones; cellist Jessica Wang, violinist Yoojin Park, drummer Russell Carter, and percussion Kahlil Bell. Seattle's vibrant music scene contributes to the album's dynamic sound, with contributions from pianists Darrius Willrich and Peter Adams, saxophonist Alex Dugdale, guitarist Michael Powers, bassists Elliot Kuykendall and Chris Symer, drummer Ronnie Bishop and percussionist Ernesto Pediangco. Album highlights include the original smoke and satin string ballads "Starlight Starbright" and "Nothing Better, " a sweltering, bluesy rendition of Peggy Lee's "I Love Being Here with You, " the melodic self-declarative "Why I Sing, " and a captivating take on Marvin Gaye's "Trouble Man." A refurbished rendition of Nina Simone's cult classic, "Sinnerman, " and the life-inspiring original, "Hold Back the Night, " join the array of song selections in showcasing the depth and breadth of Jones' exquisite vocal prowess and her ability to convey complex emotions authentically. Jazz enthusiasts and music lovers of all kinds are drawn to Jones' vocal style and heartfelt originals as storytelling that intimately parallels to their life experiences. Writer Charles Mudede unpacks this connection, saying, "Eugenie Jones makes audiences feel jazz. She is an emotive, engaging song stylist who entertains, dazzles, and decisively wins over audiences." Further cementing that connection, EUGENIE encapsulates Jones' artistic evolution, reflecting a decade of hard-won achievements. With multiple vocalist awards, a #7 ranking on Jazz Week's Top 50, and the International Jazz Association's prestigious Jazz Hero Award to her credit, Jones has proven to be more than a musician—she is a cultural force who has successfully intertwined jazz and community service. Eugenie Jones has served as Executive Producer of Seattle's Jackson Street Jazz Walk for seven years. She presents a stream of community concerts and educational pop-ups that honor music icons of the once vibrant African American Central District area, an all-but-forgotten historical community where high school jazz musicians Ray Charles, Ernestine Anderson, and Quincy Jones began their iconic journeys. Jones doubles the event's impact by using it to raise funds for non-profits that serve the needs of disadvantaged residents. When it comes to her music, Jones describes her artistic journey, saying, "Pursuing a music career is a Sisyphean act unlike any other I've taken on. But it brings unmatched joy and purpose to my life. So, with this release, here I stand, rolling that boulder up the hill again." Mark your calendars for January 20, 2025, when EUGENIE, Jones' most personal and ambitious project to date, will be available on all major streaming platforms. An invitation into her "Eugenie-ized" world of creativity, where every note embraces divergent audiences who share a common bond of loving music they can feel. |
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