by William McDermott ’15

Sherwood’s Night of Jazz, traditionally featuring the Jazz Choir, Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Big Band, was changed this year to include guest performer Mimi Jones and her trio. The performance took place April 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ertzman Theatre.

Mimi Jones is an internationally renowned musician who has earned the title “U.S. Jazz Ambassador” from her many trips to foreign countries. “We knew Tia Fuller, a saxophonist, and she introduced us to Mimi Jones, who had come to Sherwood before,” said music teacher Alex Silverbook. “We built a relationship [between] us and Mimi Jones.”

During the performance, Jones played with Miki Hayama on piano and Shirazette Tinnin on drums, while Jones herself played the bass and sang. Their music focused on inspiring others, and even featured a piece told as a story. Her cool and original style received an enthusiastic audience response, even though her trio’s sound was unconventional, with loose rhythmic structure.

Jones herself jumped into music when she was seventeen. While she was playing her friend’s upright bass one day in the hall, the school band director approached her and asked her to join the band. Although she originally wanted to play more contemporary music and not jazz, she learned to use her talents and found that she was talented with the bass, even though it wasn’t her first choice. “Well, being a musician, you have to be versatile … the experience is going to make you a better musician,” said Jones.

In addition to the show, Jones also came in for an assembly during school. She coached the Jazz Ensembles on their technique, advising the students to control the sound and flow of the music. “We wanted her visit to be both educational for the students and recreational for parents and families,” said Silverbook.

Jones’ wish to inspire others, especially future musicians, is very clear both in her music and her future plans. Her new CD coming out in May, “Balance,” features all the names of her supporters—people who donated to her Kickstarter account—on the cover art.

Jones was very appreciative to have been able to come to Sherwood for her second time. “I am very inspired by the program [that Sherwood has], and I hope to one day start a program of my own,” said Jones.

McDermott is a student in Jazz choir and sang in the performance.