AXS Interviews Willie Jones III

Entertainment giant AXS sat down and interviewed our very own Willie Jones III. They discussed everything from his favorite jazz types, whether he's an East Coast or West Coast guy, and what it was like meeting jazz legend Milt Jackson. Below is a small section from that meeting.

AXS: As a go-to-sideman, you also appeared on recordings and performed with other jazz legends, including Arturo Sandoval and on his Grammy-winning album, Hot House, Horace Silver’s Jazz Has A Sense Of Humor, and the Roy Hargrove Quintet. What have these men done for your playing?

WJ: I’d like to think every artist that I worked with has added something valuable to my playing.

Arturo Sandoval was my first touring gig and his music, I guess, would fit under the Latin jazz label, which I had no experience playing at that time, so when he asked me to play on his Hot House recording, I was truly honored. Horace Silver is right up there with Milt Jackson on the Mount Rushmore of jazz in my opinion and playing and recording with him was the ultimate. To this day, it is one of the greatest musical experiences of my life.

Roy Hargrove’s influence on me was that you should play every gig like it’s your last. Bring everything to the bandstand physically and emotionally.

AXS: Of all the famous jazz musicians and singers you’ve backed, who has meant the most to you and why?

WJ: That’s a hard question to answer, but I guess I would say Roy Hargrove, because it was through him that I got the opportunity to play with people like Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, and Johnny Griffin.

To finish the interview click the photo of Willie Jones III and head over to AXS.com!