Darryl Evan Jones: Capturing Triumph Through Instrumental Soul
Darryl Evan Jones, hailing from The Bronx, NY, has carved out a distinctive niche in the world of jazz, calling his genre Instrumental Soul. While many listeners may categorize his music under Contemporary Jazz or Smooth Jazz, Darryl’s compositions transcend labels, offering a soul-stirring fusion of rhythm, melody, and emotion. His latest single, “Resilient,” serves as a powerful testament to his artistry and personal journey, blending smooth grooves with deep, reflective themes.
Drawing inspiration from an eclectic range of artists, Jones cites Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Parliament Funkadelic, David Sanborn, Grover Washington Jr., and Quincy Jones as key influences. He also credits the early impact of old-school hip hop and the soulful gospel hymns of the “singing church ladies” he heard in his youth. This diverse musical upbringing is evident in his work, where the energy of funk meets the finesse of jazz, wrapped in layers of soulful expression.
Creating the sound for “Resilient” was both a challenge and a triumph for Jones. At the heart of the process was the question: What does resilience sound like? Without the use of lyrics, conveying the essence of struggle, hope, and victory was no easy task. Jones began with chord progressions, string arrangements, and a bass line that, to him, felt joyous yet layered with depth. He brought these ideas to his trusted producer, “Tazz” Fields, who saw potential for a slightly different musical direction. Together, they mulled over every note, experimenting with tweaks and adjustments. At first, some of the proposed additions were hard for Jones to feel, but he placed his trust in Tazz, allowing him to invite session musicians to flesh out the vision.
Through collaboration, trial, and error, the duo struck gold. “We blended my Bronx flavors of Instrumental Soul with Tazz’s funk elements of Southern Soul,” Jones explains. “The end result was the perfect musical representation of what being resilient sounds like.”
Listen to "Resilient"
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