Darius Jones

Darius Jones, Arts for Art - Vision Festival 2024. Photo by Marek Lazarski

Darius Jones (born May 3, 1978) is an American saxophonist, composer, and professor of African-American music.

Jones has been recognized for work ranging from solo saxophone to chamber and vocal ensembles, with musical interests including Black music, avant garde music, and experimental music. His compositions and recordings have been included in best-of lists in publications including NPR Music, The Wire, and PopMatters, and his live performances have been acknowledged as among the year's best in The New York Times.

In 2024, Jones was announced as incoming Assistant Professor of Music at Wesleyan University.

Life and career

Jones was born in Virginia

Jones moved to New York City in 2005. and earned a Master of Arts in Jazz Performance/Composition from New York University. He received the French-American Jazz Exchange Award in 2013 and a Jerome Foundation Commission in 2014.

Jones taught saxophone and improvisation at Columbia University in 2017. and joined the faculty at The New School,

Jones has presented and performed major compositional works throughout the United States and Canada, including during Western Front residencies in Vancouver in 2019 and 2022. Jones was the inaugural Artist-in-Residence and curator for the 2022 MATA Festival.

In 2024, Jones was announced as incoming Assistant Professor of Music at Wesleyan University. Jones has composed for and worked on projects in new music, contemporary and avant-garde jazz groups, chamber ensembles, modern dance performance and multi-media. Big Gurl (Smell My Dream) (AUM Fidelity, 2011);

Discography

As leader/co-leader

As sideman