WJ3 Records - Celebrating 20 Years!

"Well, I guess it started out as an expensive hobby" says Mr. Willie Jones III, principal owner at WJ3 Records. Here it is, twenty years later and WJ3 records has forged a place of prominence in the Improvised Arts (Jazz) world. "Back in 2000, I was working a lot so I saved up the money I made touring with some of the greatest musicians of our time like Herbie Hancock, Cedar Walton, Roy Hargrove, Milt Jackson and so many more".

His first album on his own label was titled "Straight Swingin' - Vol. 1" and featured some of the most talented, respected voices in Jazz: JLCO (Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra) saxophonist, Sherman Irby, two highly-esteemed pianists, Eric Reed along with Billy Childs, bassist, Gerald Cannon - as well as Tony Dumas on several tracks. Rounding out this elite ensemble were vocalist Dwight Trible and alto saxophonist, James Mahone.

Jones III's journey began in the artistic hot bed known as the World Stage in Leimert Park. After completing his studies with the legendary Albert "Tootie" Heath at the CalArts, he very quickly became a fixture on the scene in the Los Angeles area. Located at 4321 Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, World Stage has been the proving ground and sanctuary for far too many improvising arts luminaries to mention. The World Stage is considered a worldwide cultural icon. Among the most famous was the legendary co-founder, drummer, and entrepreneur, Billy Higgins.

Jones III very often credits Mr. Higgins for many aspects of his professional career - "It was Higgins, along with my Dad [Willie Jones II, was a well-respected jazz pianist], that encouraged me to own my own music. Billy also called on me from time to time to sub for him with probably some of the most prominent jazz luminaries of our time" says Willie. Some of those that ring out in his early career were the late legendary pianist Cedar Walton and renowned spoken word/poet/vocalist, Kamau Daaood,

Before he was a semifinalist in the 1992 Thelonious Monk Jazz Drum Competition, Jones co-founded the jazz ensemble Black Note. Influenced by the rich soulful energy of the West Coast bop movement, Black Note's hard-swing sound elevated them to first place in the prestigious John Coltrane Young Artist Competition in 1991. Jones contributed his skillfulness as both musician and producer on all four Black Note recordings: 43rd & Degnan and L.A. Underground (World Stage Records), "Jungle Music" (Columbia) and "Nothin' But the Swing" (Impulse!). By 1994, the band had toured Europe and across the U.S. and was the opening act for Wynton Marsalis. Now, more than 25 years later, Mr. Jones III has the honor of periodically serving as touring drummer for Mr. Marsalis and his many ensembles.

After working with the late great vibes master Milt Jackson, he would go on to perform and record with Latin Jazz superstar Arturo Sandoval - including recording on Sandval's Grammy-winning album, "Hot House" in 1995. He went on to record and perform with pianist, Horace Silver on his critically acclaimed "Jazz Has A Sense Of Humor" album on Impulse! records. This led to a lifelong personal friendship and professional relationship with the illustrious Grammy-winner, the late Roy Hargrove for almost 8 years. "It was a real joy working with Roy...there can never be another Roy Hargrove...he was a very dear friend" says Jones III.

After his first few releases on WJ3 Records, he began producing albums for, and recording with, some of the most preeminent artists in the genre such as Eric Reed, Cyrus Chestnut and a host of other stellar voices - both vocally and instrumentally. With his reputation as a consummate professional, artistic integrity and a desire to carry the legacy of improvised art forward. Mr. Jones III became a much sought after producer as well as a first-call drummer for many other non-WJ3 recordings.

He has been a respected educator at Northwestern University in Chicago (prior to the restrictions of the pandemic, he actually flew to Chicago to lecture his students in person) for more than a decade now.

Since 2012, WJ3 Records has produced many globally well-received recordings by several of the finest artists in modern history such as guitarist/actor/educator, Jacques Lesure (he appeared in the Oscar award-winning movie "LaLaLand" with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone and won the "Buddy Montgomery Educator Of The Year" award in 2017). Lesure has recorded three titles for WJ3: "When She Smiles" (2013), "Camaraderie" (2015), and "For The Love Of You" (2017).

Jones III also performed and produced three other highly-regarded recordings during the period 2018 and early 2019. Ralph Moore, who could be seen on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno for 15 years, gave us "Three Score" (his first recording as a leader in 25 years!) Rounding out these three sides was a ground-breaking album titled "A Light In Darkness" by the superlative keyboard and piano prodigy, Eric Reed. Lastly, but certainly not least, longtime, well-respected pianist, Rick Germanson rendered "Turquoise Twice". Later on that year, Roy Hargrove's constant stage companion and sideman/saxophonist, Justin Robinson and his ensemble recorded "At First Light".

In January, 2017, the label sponsored a showcase at the 60th APAP Convention (Association Of Performing Arts Professionals) at the Midtown Manhattan Hilton. The showcase featured some of the world's finest Jazz performers of the 21st century; it is still a point of lively discussion today. Highlights of the showcase are available HERE

Fast-forward to the year 2020, Willie Jones III has built WJ3 Records into an artistic juggernaut; always striving for another level of excellence; determined to eclipse his previous efforts as both a musician and a producer via his latest works with powerhouse artists such as saxophonist/educator, Dr. Teodross Avery, longtime friend, saxophonist/educator Gregory Tardy and rising piano phenom, Isaiah J. Thompson. Each of these recordings are doing quite well on the Jazzweek.com charts (the Jazz equivalent to the "Billboard" charts) - all three albums are in the top 25 at the same time - an amazing feat considering WJ3 Records boutique status; especially considering how saturated the jazz genre is these days.

"We look forward to the current health crisis subsiding so that our artists can get back to doing what they love" says Jones III. "Of course we enjoy expressing ourselves on record, but there is nothing like the synergy of a live music experience; hearing our fans reacting to our performances offering up their appreciation after our shows and the ability to fellowship with those that appreciate this art form. That feeling is subliminal for both our audiences and ourselves" says Willie.

When he's not keeping time and adding smooth, tasteful fills to a composition in the studio or on the bandstand, he enjoys relaxing at home with his wife, and luxuriates in a game of basketball on TV - or, time permitting, "crossing them up" on the courts himself. Several sources have stated that Jones III is just as much of a force on the courts as he is holding court on the drum set; a warning to those who might be tempted to test his "ankle-busting" skillset.

The WJ3 Record label has some exciting things coming up over the next few months and we hope that our fans/WJ3 Records family members will stay tuned and enjoy what we have to offer; until then, we wish everyone and their families peace, blessings and safety.