Rooted in jazz, classic funk, and a healthy fusion of all things creative, these 5 innovators combine to make some truly unique, and engaging music.

10 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Jam-band, JAZZ: Jazz-Funk



Details:
Based in South Bend, Indiana, Half-Pint Jones is a five-piece band that combines elements of funk, jazz, reggae, brassband, and rock. The driving backbeat creates a solid mixture of New Orleans flavored funk brewed with jazz fusion and a pinch of reggae.

In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, saxophonist Chris Olivier found himself uprooted from New Orleans and relocated to Northern Indiana. He soon realized his need to share his New Orleans musical roots with the South Bend area and actively pursued finding the right blend of musicians; quickly discovered in Mark Gamble (trumpet), Steve Krojniewski (drums), Justin Ross (guitar & vocals), and Jayson Sites (bass).

Mark Gamble: Mark started playing trumpet in 1973. He has performed with Billy Nicks, The Drifters, The Platters, Bobby Vinton and on a cruise ship, and his education includes IUSB Jazz Ensemble, The Jazz Firm, Jazz Assemblage, Bloom School of Jazz. Mark is now happily divorced from his former band, The Whistle Pigs.

Steve Krojniewski (Krojo): Since picking up the sticks at the age of 13, drumming has been a mainstay of Steve's life, working steadily in projects such as The Mushroomhead Experience and Ali Baba's Tahini. He received his training from the Eddie Knight Drum School from 1992-1998 (and also from studying Rush's "A Show Of Hands"). His influences are Neil Peart, Billy Cobham, Elvin Jones and His Father.

Chris Olivier: Born into the rhythm of New Orleans, Chris is an innovative horn player with an old soul and has been playing saxophone for 23 years. His music-based roots lay a heavy influence on the band, seeing light in covers like âBig Chiefâ. As Chris says, "The music is gonna do what it does."

Justin Ross: Justin was raised in the South Side of Chicago, and began playing guitar 10 years ago. He attended Culver Academies for Military School during his formative years, and continued his education at Berklee College of Music, in Boston, and most recently attended Bloom School of Jazz in Chicago. His main influences are George Benson, Pat Martino, Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass, but firmly believes that everyone in Half-Pint Jones has helped him to improve his playing vastly during their collaboration.

Jayson Sites: Jayson is a Chicago native, now living in Southwest Michigan. A self-taught musician, he's been playing for over 20 years⦠rooted as a bassist. His playing radiates inspiration from George Porter Jr., Jaco, Jonesy, Aston 'family man' Barrett, Zappa, and numerous others.

Joining Half-Pint Jones is their amazing sound team and crew, including Steve Pierce and Chris Plummer.

Half-Pint Jones recently finished recording their first album, entitled âTrilogy of Patches and Olafâ, which will be released in late-July. The songs in this album have merged into a new sound for the group, due to the diverse musical influences that each and every member brings to the table.

âI feel the album is unique because of all the experiences we, as individuals, have had,â adds drummer Steve Krojniewski. âFrom marriage, to fatherhood, to losing parents, to fleeing home, to growing up and letting our true selves outâeverything that has lead us to this point in our lives, has made Trilogy the incredible record it has become.â

Half-Pint Jones firmly stands by the statement that they do not fit into any one category of musicâand thatâs perfectly fine with them. Their music is a mixture of so many things; jam band, jazz, latin, reggae, rock, New Orleans funk. What brings it all together are the feel-good rhythms, lyrics with a message, unconventional horn lines and incredible story-telling solos.

For more information please visit www.halfpintjones.com or www.myspace.com/halfpintjones