Nayo Jones Experience coming to Merryman
KEARNEY — The next show for the Kearney Concert Association's 2024 season is called The Nayo Jones Experience, and its lead vocalist took a surprising, unplanned journey to reach where she is today.
"My father was a music educator and we had lots of instruments in our house," said Nayo Jones, vocalist for the Nayo Jones Experience.
The smooth jazz group performs on Monday, Nov. 25 at the Merryman Performing Arts Center.
"I had an older sister who was really good at playing the flute and I really looked up to her. My dad suggested I try the violin, but I wasn't much interested in it, so I started playing the flute," Jones said.
"I was quite good at it and played in the high school marching band and in the concert band, as I was more drawn to classical music," Jones said.
She competed on the state level and was proud to tell her father about the great classical music she was playing. He was impressed, but then he said, "Yeah, but now show me some jazz."
Jones said she was practicing after school and her dad was being hard on her so she asked why.
"I wasn't going to be doing it for a living. I did keep playing though, because I was good at it, and it helped me to stay disciplined with my academics. I stopped playing when I went to college and got a career job in corporate America," Jones said.
"Even though I made some great career choices, I never felt comfortable or fulfilled," she said. "I never saw myself as a singer, so when my dad asked me to sing at a fundraiser for his foundation that helps at-risk children I said absolutely 'no.'"
She had serious stage fright and didn't want to sing in front of people!
"My dad was not one to accept no for an answer, but I did it. Then my dad began asking me to sing some with his band. After a while, he pulled me aside and said, 'I've got to let you go. You are a headliner!' So here I am all these years later, extremely grateful and feeling fortunate that I get to do music for a living," Jones said.
Jones describes her music as a big pot of gumbo. "The industry wants to put you in a box, and I never wanted to be in a box, because I love musicals and country and all sorts of music.
Kearney Concert Association President Angela Wright said the performance of The Nayo Jones Experience adds variety to the performances association members enjoy.
"We love bringing a wide variety of great music to Kearney. So far we've had a superb a capella quintet and an extraordinary big band and now we're proud to bring the smooth jazz sound of one of New Orleans' top female vocalists and her personal band," Wright said.
Asked why the group is called The Nayo Jones Experience, she replied, "Music really has been an experience for me and when they leave, I like people to say, 'It wasn't just a concert. It really was an experience.'"
The Kearney Concert Association has reduced the price of a season membership for the four remaining shows to $50 per adult or $25 per student. A family package is $115. To get tickets or information you can reach us at www.KearneyConcerts.org or 308-627-2717.
