If you are like so many, still in search of some “real” soul music, the search stops with Cleveland P. Jones. Cleveland’s soul elixir originates from South Carolina, but will transport you from low to high country in one song. In one listen! Cleveland P. Jones puts the soulful truth back into what we’ve been missing for decades in the music world- honesty, rawness, emotion and a lack of apology. He connected with these musical balms when singing in the church choir as a little boy. It was in this, his first music venue, that Cleveland honored his mother’s suggestion to “stop singing like you pretty and sing the song!” Any musical and artistic inhibitions have taken a back seat ever since.
One music critic described Cleveland P. Jones as “a soothing, quiet intensity!” The kind of paradox that sneaks up on you and implodes from the inside out, in places few touch, or even know to touch. Cleveland P. Jones plays comfortably, masterfully inside of this paradox. At a time when the music industry churns out music that glosses over the process and complexities of love- Cleveland takes us back to foreplay; heartaches that linger, but must be released; getting weak in the knees; and love laid to bare- everywhere. He delivers on the energetic, artistic, and sensuous paradoxes that define his music. When asked about his approach to music, Cleveland stated, “All I know is to be naked with the music. Music is my wife and she doesn’t allow me any room to fake it.” If music is Cleveland P. Jones’s wife, forcing him to be exposed and vulnerable, his listener’s will be tempted to enter an unexpected love affair. A love triangle with Cleveland’s out-of-the box sound and spirit. When he releases his voice into the atmosphere, Cleveland’s audience bears witness to the universality and spirituality of music when it is delivered honest and pure.
Cleveland P. Jones is guided by the principle that “We’re all from the same source whether we want to admit it or not and I know that music is the true universal language.” It is this love and respect for the connective and boundless nature of music that led this Morehouse College graduate to complete graduate degrees in Theatre and Music at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Some of his musical influences are Dorothy Ann Jones (his mother), Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Rachelle Ferrell, Bobby McFerrin and numerous others. He’s been privileged to share stage with Legend Ray Charles, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Terri Lynn Carrington and others to name a few.
Cleveland P. Jones understands that his purpose transcends singing. He feels commission to heal spirits and spread unconditional love through music. Cleveland is indeed the resurgence of real soul music. He is the truth and here for the long hall. So, prepare yourselves to be rejuvenated with a pure, unadulterated musical experience as Cleveland P. Jones delivers his soul to you and releases yours in the process.