Warren native named chairman of brass dept.

YSU grad Sean Jones recently released his seventh album

Staff report

BOSTON

Berklee College of Music has named Sean Jones, a Warren native, the chairman of the college’s brass department.

Jones is an internationally acclaimed composer and trumpeter who just released his seventh album, “im•pro•vise.”

“Sean Jones brings an amazing portfolio to Berklee,” said Roger H. Brown, college president. “Performances at the highest level with the greatest musicians of his and prior generations, successful teaching experience, personal commitment and integrity as an artist, and a desire to help foster future great contemporary musicians.”

Jones said he is excited about the post.

“When I was looking for colleges, Berklee seemed to be this shiny beacon on a hill that a kid from Warren couldn’t quite get to,” he said.

“Fast forward 18 years, I never thought that I’d be in a leadership position at that shiny beacon. It’s surreal to me and I’m honored to be given the opportunity.”

After graduating from Youngstown State University and earning a master’s degree from Rutgers University, Jones was named lead trumpeter for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (LJCO), a position he held for six years while continuing to tour, perform and record regularly.

Jones has been recorded and performed with a number of esteemed artists, including Joe Lovano, Chico O’Farrill, Jimmy Heath, Nancy Wilson and Dianne Reeves.

Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter selected Jones for their Tribute to Miles Davis tour in 2011.

Shortly after joining the LJCO, he also began teaching at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

In 2012, Jones also became a professor at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. In addition, he conducts master classes and clinics around the world.

Jones also serves as artistic director of both the Pittsburgh and Cleveland jazz orchestras.

“I envision propelling [the department] into the future,” said Jones of his new position.

“I don’t feel that my job is to rewrite what has been done, but to add a few new ideas that will stay true to the traditions of the Brass Department while making it the preeminent program for brass studies in the world.”

Jones is succeeding trombonist Tom Plsek, who served as chair for 25 years.

Many of today’s most successful brass players began their careers at Berklee, including Wayne Andre, Hal Crook, Stanton Davis, Roy Hargrove, Ingrid Jensen, Nick Lane, Tiger Okoshi, Claudio Roditi, Jack Walrath and Dennis Wilson.