“Rico Is one of the few original voices emerging. His musicianship and passion have forged to create an original voice we will joyfully be hearing more from in the future!”
– Vincent Herring, Downbeat Magazine
Rico Jones is a rising star and one of the most accomplished saxophonists of his generation. Born and raised in Colorado, Rico has been driven by a deep passion for artistic expression since early childhood. Before discovering his musical talents, Rico honed his creative skills as a self-taught visual artist. This innate creativity seamlessly transitioned into his musical journey as he began learning to play by ear. Growing up in Denver, Rico had the invaluable opportunity to perform under the guidance of local music legends, including Paul Romaine, Greg Gisbert, Eric Gunnison, Art Lande, Paul Warburton, Joe Bonner, Brad Goode, Vlad Girshevich, Jon Romero, Laura Newman, Ellyn Rucker and Purnell Steen. Rico had a unique musical upbringing playing Gospel on his horn as part of a predominantly Black Catholic community at Cure d’Ars Church from early childhood until his departure to New York at age 18.
As Rico matured as an artist, he became captivated by black American musical art forms, particularly blues and jazz, which became his primary modes of expression for both himself and his ensembles. Furthermore, his rich ancestral heritage stretching from Morocco to Northern and southern Indigenous American tribes has become a focal point for his artistic expressions, infusing his music with a profound cultural depth.
At the age of 16 Rico Jones was named one of KUVO radio’s 30 under 30 best jazz musicians. Later that year he performed at the Grammy awards with a group of national young talent, hand selected by the Grammy Foundation. The following year he was lead tenor in the Jazz Band of America.
Rico’s impressive career has seen him share the stage with renowned artists such as Dave Kikoski, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Cyrus Chestnut, Peter Washington, Joe Farnsworth, Sullivan Fortner, Victor Lewis, Philip Harper, Bobby Watson, Eric Harland, Vincent Herring, Sylvia Cuenca, Essiet Essiet, Victor Jones, Candido, Terrence Blanchard, Veronica Swift, Eric Wyatt, Rich Perry, Matt Penman, Dan Weiss, Matt Clohesy, Yasushi Nakimura, Ari Hoenig, Lage Lund, Kush Abaday, Joe Martin, Dan Weiss, Matt Penman, Colin Stranahan, Rick Rosato, Peter Horvath, Sasha Berliner and many others.
Among those who have musically mentored him are the esteemed artists Dave Kikoski, Vincent Herring, Bennie Maupin, Charles McPherson, Bobby Watson, Eric Wyatt, Sonny Rollins and George Coleman. Rico further refined his craft during his time at the Manhattan School of Music, where he had the privilege of studying under revered artists such as Buster Williams, Paquito D’Rivea, Arturo O’Farrill, Miguel Zenón, and more.
In 2019, Rico Jones was awarded first prize in the Vandoren Emerging Artist competition, a testament to his exceptional talent and promise. He showcased his virtuosity by premiering a new big band composition written for him by Todd Bashore at the Music For All festival as a special guest with the Jazz Band of America. Rico was also selected to participate in prestigious programs such as the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center and the JAS Aspen workshop with Christian McBride in 2019. He made his international debut in Paris at the Sunset/Sunside Jazz Club that same year. Rico’s accomplishments continued to soar in 2020 as he competed in the inaugural Rudin Jazz Championship at Lincoln Center under the direction of Jon Faddis and became a finalist in the North American Saxophone competition. Again in that year, Rico Jones was awarded as a winner of the Yamaha emerging artist competition.
During his senior year of college, Rico contributed to the musical community by teaching masterclasses at high schools and colleges across Colorado as an artist representative for the Vandoren company. His dedication and talent were recognized when he and his ensembles received four Downbeat awards in 2020, including accolades for “Jazz Soloist,” “Small Jazz Ensemble,” and two awards in the “Latin Jazz” category. Rico proudly graduated from the Manhattan School of Music, receiving the prestigious William H. Borden award for outstanding achievement in jazz in May 2020. This remarkable achievement earned him a full scholarship to pursue his master’s degree at the same institution.
In 2021, Rico Jones continued to garner accolades, receiving two more awards from Downbeat Magazine for “Jazz Soloist” and “Jazz Arrangement.” Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Rico remained dedicated to his community and organized over 100 free community outdoor concerts at Sloan Lake, bringing joy and the power of music to his childhood community. Each weekend, these concerts attracted crowds of over 300 attendees, and Rico’s efforts to share the arts received widespread recognition from magazines, local news outlets, and PBS.
In April 2021, Rico had the honor of performing at the prestigious Red Rocks Amphitheatre with his band CounterCurrent, leaving an indelible mark on the iconic venue. Later that year, Rico led his electric band CounterCurrent at the renowned Telluride Jazz Fest, sharing the festival line up with esteemed acts like Robert Glasper, Allison Miller, Christian Sands, and the Preservation Hall Band, among others.
In 2022, Rico Jones made history as he co-led the first all-indigenous big band, presenting an original composition titled “Earth” at the Olympia Performing Arts Center in Washington state. The band embarked on a successful tour throughout Alaska in 2023, premiering music composed by Rico for the big band. The All-Indigenous Big Band is now poised to headline the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival with Grammy award winner Esperanza Spalding after a week-long residency at the Kennedy Center in May 2024.
Continuing his musical endeavors, Rico embarked on a captivating journey in 2023, performing in concert halls and music venues across Ecuador as part of the Joan Sanchez Quartet, further expanding his international reach.
In 2024 Jones was chosen by renowned jazz photographer, Jimmy Katz, to craft an all-original jazz album, recorded live under Katz’s nonprofit organization, Giant Steps Art s. This organization is celebrated for recording top-tier artists, including Mark Turner, Jonathan Blake, Chris Potter, and Eric Alexander, among others. Furthermore, Rico Jones has been approached by the record label, Life Force Records, to produce an album of his original music featuring Essiet Essiet, Sylvia Cuenca, and Peter Horvath.
Currently residing in Harlem, New York, Rico Jones dedicates himself to composing, practicing, directing bands, performing, and educating. He currently holds the position as musical Director at the Doctor Lena Edwards Academic Charter school where he teaches predominantly Black and Latino children in Jersey City. He remains steadfast in his commitment to the art of music, constantly striving to traverse the globe and share his unique and compelling sound with audiences worldwide. Rico’s remarkable talent, unwavering dedication, and cultural resonance make him a true force to be reckoned with in the world of music.
