Cheryl Jones has music in her soul. As the director of local band Jones and Company, Cheryl has witnessed the band open for The Commodores, sing for Mike Love of the Beach Boys and become a mainstay for the Destin area for 25 years.
“My husband Denny and I were invited in 1988 to leave Detroit and come to Destin permanently to join the musical group, Passage,” Jones said of her original move to the area. “Eventually, the band disbanded and Denny and I decided to remain in this area and create a band under our own name in 1989.”
Jones told The Log that she can not believe it has been 25 years since their first show on Oct. 6, 1989 at Tim’bers on Okaloosa Island.
“We played songs by Inxs, Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson, and Prince. Gosh, we even played Milli Vanilli. The dance floor was packed,” said Jones. “Time flies when you’re having fun. I mean, when Jones and Company began, I was in my twenties; where did the time go?”
Looking back over the years it’s easy to see that the band’s time has been well spent on countless nights of smooth jazz and funk, long days performing all types of music at weddings and events, and numerous appearances in concerts and tours. With time so well spent, Jones and Company has definitely made a name for themselves in Northwest Florida.
“One afternoon, Steve Ferrone, the drummer for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, came to see us at AJ’s because he heard us at a wedding and he wanted to hear more and hangout,” said Jones. “But get this, he actually played ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ with us. Oh, what a night.”
As the band gained popularity, new members began to join the group. Originally a husband and wife duo called Jones and Jones, the band quickly attracted a slew of talented artists.
“Musicians came to sit-in, patrons came to listen and dance, and eventually Jones and Company grew to include Al Alvarado on sax, drummer, Brent Purcell, and trumpeter, Paul Scurto,” said Jones.
Over the years several musicians have come and gone, moving on to their own careers in music. Currently, Jones and Company performs in two configurations; either as a quartet with Paul Scurto on trumpet, Brent Purcell on drums, Cheryl Jones as keyboard and vocal and Denny Jones as bassist and vocal, or as a seven piece band with added musicians Ike Bartley on saxophone, Wayne Burkholder on guitar, and Ellis Jones on trombone.
“As music director, I rely on each of the musicians of Jones and Company for their musical artistry, their dexterity, and their joy of music,” said Jones. “Each musician brings something uniquely special to this organization, especially in terms of personality. The goal should be toward every musician living the dream, enjoying the fruits of their labor and creating a concert type dream-o-sphere atmosphere worthy of a performance at the Grammys.”
With this high-caliber mindset, Jones and Company has thrived musically and garnered a large local and regional following.
“There was one period where Jones and Company was performing three shows in one day many days of the week,” said Jones. “Afternoons at the Elephant Walk, evenings at Fudpucker’s on the island or Magnums; We were working with three drummers, such good times. This band has come to be known as a ‘must see, must have’ group and I’d like to think that it’s because our supporters consider us to be consistent.”
With 25 years under their belts Jones and Company has also seen generations of fans and supporters.
“I’m getting the biggest kick from hearing from folks who met each other on the dance floor and ended up married, with children,” said Jones. “And now I’m getting the biggest kick out of how the children come out to see us with their children, it’s awesome.”
So with 25 years down, what is on the horizon for the seasoned band?
“The future is wide open as we head in this exciting direction that is our future,” Jones told The Log. “I feel Destin and the Emerald Coast will always be my home and I’d like to think that Jones and Company will always have a place to play here.”
Jones and Company will be holding a Christmas CD release party at Bric a Brac on Dec. 19, starting at 5:30 p.m. The band will also be performing New Year’s Eve at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar from 5-9 p.m.
For more information on the band call 585-1324 or find them on Facebook.