Meet Jeremy Jones

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jeremy Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jeremy , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I love this question, as being the only African American/Black male is a situation I face quite often as a musician classical violist/violinist, Usually at orchestral gigs or sessions my colleagues are of Caucasian and Asian descent. This is not really something that bothers me any more, but it definitely took some time getting used to it. I think what has made me comfortable in these situations is to be a curious person.

Many times people feel uncomfortable striking conversation, especially if they are not familiar with someones culture. That is usually the case for Black musicians in classical settings, as it is often rare, and many times the only knowledge someone has about Black culture is through media, which is a small piece of the pie.

I usually cut through this discomfort by starting the conversation with a question or compliment, commenting on someones instrument or complimenting their playing. That starts us off on common ground that is easy to navigate. It also opens the other person up to ask you a question as well, giving you an opportunity to share a bit about yourself. There’s always a chance that the person is not so open, which is okay. You can just move along or mind your business, because at the end of the day there will always be someone else in the room who sees your value as a person, no matter your culture or skin color.

That is the other important part

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Hi there! My name is Jeremy Jones. I am classical violist, singer, producer and songwriter based in Los Angeles. I am heavily participant in the music culture, where I’ve had the pleasure to do session work as a string arranger, write music and songs featured on work for Nike, Whatsapp, Netflix, and to be a featured a vocalist for companies like Coca&Cola and M&M.
I am also invested in two different artist projects, one under my name Jeremy Jones (soulful, pop) and the other under my stage name LAWDVIOLA (electronic, glitchsoul), where I blend all my musical sensibilities into one wave of sound.

Throughout the pandemic is was hard to keep the momentum needed to support my artist projects, but this year I am so excited to have a calendar full of events and shows for my artist projects, as well as releasing an EP in Fall 2024.
There are still openings in my schedule, so if you find anything that I’m doing interesting and would like to book me for an event, please email me at [email protected]!

Please also check out my TikTok and Instagram at @jeremyxjones!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

For me it was really important to have self belief at a delusional level, commitment, and a honest love for what you do.

I think it’s okay to be a little delusional. Seriously. You will and have to be your own biggest fan, as that positive energy is infectious. At first it might be difficult, as it could feel disingenuous to be delusional, but for me, that’s the point. I believe that’s just the process of tricking yourself into self belief. After awhile it will feel natural, and other people will feel it and want to support you. So just stay positive and delusional about your goals.

Being committed is also important. I learned through classical music that even the hardest passages can be broken down into very small steps. Once you break down the steps, just practice them over and over again. It’s important to be consistent with your commitment and practice, which I think is the hard part. For me, it’s just remembering for everyday you’re doing practicing, you’re getting a little better. After awhile you will surprise yourself when you’re playing that hard passage at performance tempo.

Finally, having an honest love for what you do is important. I find that my love and curiosity for music is what has kept me going, and will keep me going in the long run. Your love and passion for your craft is something that help you find the fun in the hardest moments of your career. It will also open doors and bring you opportunities you could never imagine, as people will find your dedication inspiring and will want to keep you in their network. Even on your worst days, you can always fall back on this.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

I find that exercise is the best cure for being overwhelmed. Having a daily workout schedule helps me stay grounded. Personally I love doing HIIT workouts and dumbbell weights at home, mixed with bodyweight exercises, but it can be anything that moves your body. It could be a walk, stretches or even 10 pushups on the spot. I usually will feel present in the moment and out of my head after that.

Eating a healthy diet or even a minimal diet helps me out when I’m overwhelmed as well. You can’t go wrong by making it easy for digestive system. Drinking plenty of water and prioritizing rest are things we hear all the time, but are actual so under utilized and underrated.
Lastly, learning how to take deep breathes is so beneficial. Study how opera singers breathe from their diaphragm, or Indian yoga practices, that I believe is called pranayama. The deepest breathing influences the flow of energy in your body, giving you mental clarity and physical health.

Don’t overlook your health, physically and mentally. Take care of yourself!

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