Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Aristotle Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Aristotle, 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?
Great question. Everyday when I show up to my day job as a Creative Director I’m the only one the office who doesn’t work with a African American coworker. I’d like to say my story is unique in West Virginia, but I know better because I’ve been in this situation at more than one place of employment. The population of West Virginia is roughly 97% White, and I belong to the mighty 3% who face the challenge of fully representing themselves while staying mindful of how their presence simultaneously represents their whole race.
I have learned to be effective in my role as an entertainer, and creative specialist by leaning in to the core values of hard work, tenacity, bravery and ingenuity that were passed to me from my parents and grandparents. It is their lessons that guide me. My grandfather who was a coal miner by day and a farmer by night gave me the best advice “Just be yourself man, you know what you are doing.” It is his words I fall back to often when my words and ideas fall on ears that aren’t ready to receive them. “I know what I’m doing, so it doesn’t matter if they get it or not”.
It is that permission structure that I rely on. No one else can grant me the permission to work hard, No one else can grant me permission to share love, No one else can grant me permission to be as creative as I can be. I am the one who grants permission for others to access my talents and gifts.
It is through my own personal acknowledgement of what I can control and what I can not that I am able to navigate past rigid minds, and flow with more open minds.
So in situations where I am the only one in the room who looks like me I remember that rare items are valuable. I do not have to prove my value to those who don’t see it. I am the sum of everyone who has given part of themselves to blaze the path I’m walking, and do not relinquish my value no matter who else is in the room with me.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As a musician, I am known as the Appalachian Soul Man. I am influenced by rural soundscapes in addition to the music of Rock n Roll legend Johnnie Johnson and Soul legend Bill Withers (both West Virginia natives). Creatively I combine the folksy elements of growing up in Appalachia, with the soulful storytelling, and funky pocket of Black American Music.
I call my sound “Appalachian Soul”… and accompanied by percussive guitar, jangly piano licks, snappy horn lines and a lock tight rhythm section, I carry on the tradition of making the soulful, high energy folk music that was found in juke joints along a network of Black boom towns, venues and and churches throughout the American South, and Appalachian Region in the 20th Century. I utilize both traditional and contemporary sonics to create a “Modern Throwback” sound. It is this spirit that the pushes that narrative forward into the 21st Century.
It is my connection to the region and history. that makes my music and live performances so specials I lean into genre blending and my repertoire combines elements of Soul, Folk, Jazz and Blues that were staples of the “Chit’lin Circuit”… with the Bluegrass, Folk, and Gospel music that was also found in big doses in coal camps in Appalachia.
My original material gives a glimpse into an under represented American genre from a first hand account and transports audiences to the intersection of early Rhythm and Blues. The central theme of my original music and community projects is shedding light on the contribution to art in culture provided by Black Americans living in the Appalachian Mountains.
I am a descendant of coal miners, and farmers who against all odds made a life in the poor coal town of Osage, West Virginia. My music reflects the values of courage, fortitude and determination that were taught to him while porch picking with his grandfather, a regional Gospel and Soul singer who traveled to segregated coal camps performing for black coal miners in the mid 20th Century, and Aristotle is proud to carry on the legacy of Soulful Folk and Rock n’ Roll born in hills of Appalachia.
Since 2003 I have been performing nationally with bands and as a solo performer. I have released four studio albums and has performed in WV, MD, PA OH, NY, NC, SC, VA, KY, UT, DC, and have garnered many awards and accolades. In 2021 I was featuring in Doris Field’s documentary series “Those Who Came Before”. In 2023 I was awarded the Black Appalachian Storyteller Fellowship by the National Association of Black Storytellers for his work. And in 2024 I was named a Mid Atlantic Arts Experience Grantee for my regional tour.
Additionally, since 2014 I have worked as the Creative Director for WVRC Media’s Northern Division. In 2021 I created a weekly statewide radio program highlighting West Virginia’s original music scene called “Sounds Good to Me with Aristotle Jones” which has been expanded to include a weekly feature on “Hotline with Dave Weekley” on the MetroNews Network called “Sounds Good West Virginia”.
My career also includes organizing events across the Mountain State. From 2021-2023 I founded and organized the “Sound Good Festival” at Palatine Park in Fairmont, WV and from 2023-2024 I curated and directed the “Born & Bred Concert Series” at the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center in Clarksburg, WV.
My philanthropic efforts center on building community through creative expression and in 2023 I started the Osage Gospel N’ Soul Community Choir where all are welcome and no experience is necessary, just come as you are and be yourself. ,
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The first quality that was most impactful on my journey was learning to set my own trajectory. It was the ability to identify my current point in my growth, reflect on what works and what did not according to the call of my heart and then use my brain to set a plan in motion to continue to sculpt my life into the one I have envisioned. That all starts, of course, with brutal honesty and fidelity to my goals. Each fall I create a “How You” book that outlines the best possible outcome that I can envision for the upcoming year. I then breakdown each goal into the smallest most obvious steps I will need to take to achieve my goals. If you stick to the trajectory reaching your destination is almost inevitable.
A skill that I have developed that was most impactful was creativity/flexibility. Divergent thinking has allowed me to think outside of the box to create the world around me that fits my skillset. Through creativity and flexibility I am able to bounce back from setbacks and overcome obstacles much faster. It is a tool to be employed and also a tool kit to house what you have learned. I use creativity to interact with the world and to place gifts for my future self along my route. In this way life becomes like a jam session including you the universe and your higher power where beautiful outcomes can be produced and intentions can be made obvious.
An area of knowledge that has been impactful along my journey is Storytelling. Storytelling is all about how your value time. Storytelling also has multiple applications in my life. First of course is directly as a storyteller, where I share my my family’s history. Next is in songwriting where my craft depends on the story of melodies and lyrics to create connection. And Lastly in my day job as Creative Director where I use my storytelling ability to create captivating ads for regional businesses and organizations. It is the responsibility of the Storyteller to value not only the time covered in the story, but to respect the time and attention given by the listener. Storytelling is a form of empathy and connection is inherent.
A piece of advice I would share to someone early in their journey is to grant yourself the grace to grow. Learn lessons and apply the quickly, be bolder than you believe you can, forgive yourself fast for falling and love yourself enough to keep going.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
There are three books that I found very impactful to my development. In my 20’s and 30’s I relied heavily on “Searching for the Sound” by Phil Lesh, the bassist for the Grateful Dead.
He recounts his time before, during and after the band. In addition to the fun colorful stories about life on the road, the Hippies of San Francisco, and psychodelic drug use. There was a ton of information about business organization, how to identify strengths of collaborators, and how to grieve.
The wisdom that stuck with me the most from “Searching for the Sound” was surround yourself with people who aren’t afraid to follow their dreams.
More recently, a book that played an important role was “The War of Art” by Stephen Pressfield. It is a surprisingly easy read that while short is jam packed with pearls of wisdom. After reading this book I could see how many my of the artistic, influences could handle the pressures of the professional creative industry.
Its not a how to book… but instead it is a “get to” book… meaning “Get to Work”
The wisdom that stuck with me the most from “The War of Art” is… “You are already a professional… You get up and go to your job and do professional work… now apply that same level of commitment to your Artistic Profession”
A bonus book that had so many promising tidbits of wisdom is the “Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom” by Jonathan Haidt.
I find myself paraphrasing many lines from the is book… but my favorite is “The Tree doesn’t get to taste it’s own fruit” – The reward for being creative is in the creating. As artist we do not get to control what the audiences feels.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aristotlejones.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonesaristotle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aristotlejonesofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/aristotlejonesmusic
- Soundcloud: soundclould.com/aristotlejonesmusic
Image Credits
Main Photo:
Credit: Rafael Barker
Additional Photos
Credits:
1. Clara Haizlett
2. Eric Profit
3. Grayson Hall
4. Rafael Barker
5. Dusty Merrill
6. Rafael Barker
7. Grayson Hall
8. Aristotle Jones
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
