Nayo Jones
Nayo Jones (pronounced Nīyō) was born in Chicago, Illinois into a family of musicians and destined to be in show business. As an accomplished jazz musician and music educator, her father William “Doc” Jones groomed and nurtured her natural ability from a very young age. Nayo grew up listening to Jazz standards that proved to be a solid foundation and would later become a signature in her own show. Accomplished in her own right, Jones is also a classically trained flutist.
Currently Nayo is based in New Orleans, LA where she performs regularly with her band “The Nayo Jones Experience”. In addition to her own show, Ms. Jones also tours alongside New Orleans iconic jazz trumpeter, Kermit Ruffins as the featured vocalist. Nayo is a featured vocalist on the recently released album celebrating the famed Allen Toussaint where she sang “Ruler of My Heart” recorded with the Grammy Award winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.
Nayo’s vocal range has been compared to the likes of Natalie Cole, Nancy Wilson, even Whitney Houston. She has been the opening act for legendary George Benson, Chris Botti and more.
Nayo consistently draws rave reviews for her performances. Nayo and her band, “The Nayo Jones Experience” have a longstanding residency at the Carousel Lounge located in the historic Hotel Monteleone and The Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. She has performed at the New Orleans Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest and Satchmo Fest consistently since 2012. She has headlined at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Iowa City Jazz Festival Tempe & Scottsdale Jazz Fests, Tucson Jazz Fest and Jazz Ascona in Ascona, Switzerland Jazz Festival.
Nayo’s body of work includes her first original album “My Name is Nayo Jones”, a “Holiday Collection”, a compilation project featuring her dad Doc Jones, and her EP simply titled “Nayo”. Her most recent project is, “The Nayo Jones Experience Live at the Kerr Cultural Center”, which is a live performance recorded at ASU Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale, AZ.
