MT Jones
It’s been a busy and dreary September here in Twin Cities. A bright spot has been the talented musicians sweeping through and delivering shows that warm the soul. MT Jones was no exception to this, as were the evenings openers, Minneapolis’ very own Woolly Mack. They are a funky collective pulling inspiration from ’70s disco, deep funk and the sounds of Stax Records. Their groove-heavy set got the room moving before Jones took the stage, making for a fitting start to a night built around rhythm and soul. Their band packs the stage with layers of vocalists, bass, guitar, horns and drums. I personally loved the way the lead singers shared their songs and played off each others voices creating popping harmonies and sending shivers through the crowd. I’m excited to keep an eye on them in the cities and continue to watch them grow on the scene.
MT Jones’ music feels simultaneously nostalgic and fresh, drawing heavily from the ’60s and ’70s soul tradition while incorporating modern R&B and jazz. He hails from England and is currently making the rounds with his debut album Joy. Live, that influence came through in every layer, from the warm harmonies to the steady rhythm section and of course, Jones’ rich, effortless vocals giving me
hints of young Frankie Valli. His debut album, Joy, released earlier this year, has already put him on the radar with tracks like “Punchin’,” “Why I Cry” and “I Don’t Understand,” but hearing them live made it clear that Jones is just as compelling a performer as he is a songwriter. Crisp and on spot vocals with a charming stage presence and charisma you can’t fake.
There’s a natural ease to Jones onstage. He has the kind of presence that doesn't demand attention so much as quietly hold it. In a room as intimate as the Entry, that worked especially well as the audience was close enough to catch every vocal nuance while the music filled the room with a sound much bigger than the space suggested.
What stood out most was just how naturally Jones inhabits his sound. There’s no sense of trying to recreate a bygone era or make soul music feel “retro” for the sake of it. Instead, he takes those familiar influences and makes them feel lived-in and current, giving the songs enough space to breathe while still keeping the energy moving. By the end of the night, the 7th St Entry felt like a tiny soul revue, with Jones and his band proving that sometimes the best way forward is to know exactly where the music came from.
For an artist still relatively early in his career, Jones already carries the confidence of someone who knows exactly what kind of music he wants to make. And if Joy is only the beginning, Minneapolis got a pretty great introduction.
