2008 Woodie Awards
'Spiritual' musician
Detroit reverend shares story of blues
By: David Veselenak
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: News
Elizabeth Johnson said the way Robert Jones is on stage is similar to how he is in his everyday life.
"What you see is what you get," the Detroit sophomore said.
Jones, an American roots music performer and Baptist minister, performed Tuesday in Charles V. Park Library Auditorium. He played a wide range of music on a variety of instruments while discussing the roots of modern day music with historical references.
Johnson, who is dating Jones' son, said she also is interested in what Jones had to say about music.
"History and music are two of my favorite things," she said. "(The presentation) felt like you were back home."
Jones said his experience as a minister and musician left him to decide which way to take his life. He found a way to blend the two and uses music during his services.
Jones discussed the history of different styles including spirituals and blues. He said traditional spirituals arose during the slave era when Africans were brought to the United States. Missionaries taught the slaves songs and they interpreted them.
"That became the basis of the spiritual," he said. "They often have double meanings."
Jones' main message to students was that music in the U.S. all originates from the same notes and chords. From blues to rap, music has been repetitive over the years, he said.
news@cm-life.com
"What you see is what you get," the Detroit sophomore said.
Jones, an American roots music performer and Baptist minister, performed Tuesday in Charles V. Park Library Auditorium. He played a wide range of music on a variety of instruments while discussing the roots of modern day music with historical references.
Johnson, who is dating Jones' son, said she also is interested in what Jones had to say about music.
"History and music are two of my favorite things," she said. "(The presentation) felt like you were back home."
Jones said his experience as a minister and musician left him to decide which way to take his life. He found a way to blend the two and uses music during his services.
Jones discussed the history of different styles including spirituals and blues. He said traditional spirituals arose during the slave era when Africans were brought to the United States. Missionaries taught the slaves songs and they interpreted them.
"That became the basis of the spiritual," he said. "They often have double meanings."
Jones' main message to students was that music in the U.S. all originates from the same notes and chords. From blues to rap, music has been repetitive over the years, he said.
news@cm-life.com
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