The Jazz Half recommends: "The Search Within" - Sean Jones

My first encounter with the music of Sean Jones came about a few years ago in a Chicago bookstore. An unexplainable feeling of relaxed contentment overcame me as I heard "Allison", a tune from his 2007 Kaleidoscope album (Mack Avenue Records). Romantically endearing, I was captivated by the tune, and wanted to hear more from this extraordinary Trumpeter and Composer. Here enters "The Search Within", Jones' 2009 release, and fifth release as a bandleader (all under the Mack Avenue label). One of the tracks is "Life Cycles", a fluid and pleasing number with a relaxed feel. But don't let the two aforementioned songs fool you; Jones also throws down and kicks in the spice, as demonstrated in "Transitions" and "The Storm".

An Ohio native, Sean Jones is also a lead trumpeter for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by Wynton Marsalis. In 2004, he became the Music Professor at Duquesne University.

You will thoroughly enjoy Jones' clean, pure sound. His tracks are wonderfully arranged, with a straight-ahead vibe that is classy and rich.

Visit his website (www.seanjonesmusic.com) or iTunes for a copy of The Search Within.

- jh