The Fonnie B. Murrill
and Ruth M. Jones Scholarship Foundation and Musicians for Education
presented the 1st Annual Thanksgiving Music Explosion on Friday,
April 24, 2006, at Adkin High School on 1216 Clay Street in Kinston,
North Carolina.
The purpose of the
music explosion was to provide a night of entertainment, soulful music
and to provide scholarships for upcoming musicians. This program’s
purpose additionally is to recognize musicians from eastern North
Carolina who have made music contributions locally, nationally and
internationally. Proceeds will support young musicians.
The first honoree
was "Nat" Jones a native Kinstonian.
Nathaniel Leon “Nat”
Jones was born April 27, 1939. Nat was the oldest of the three
children of the late Mr. Nathaniel Lee and Mrs. Ruth Murrill Jones.
Nat, at a very early age, became interested in music and his mother
provided for him to have lessons to hone in on his interests. Kinston
was very fortunate to have had a former “Big Band Member,” Ms. Geneva
Perry, to come to Kinston and teach instrumental music at Adkin High
School, where “Nat” further developed his skills. From that teacher
student relationship, Nat began to play in nightclubs at the age of
16.
Playing music in
1950s was not without controversy. One of Kinston’s noted musicians,
Zack Green passed and Nat was asked to play a saxophone solo, at his
funeral. Nat played “Danny Boy,” at the funeral which caused
controversy in the “Bible Belt.”
Upon graduation from
Adkin High School, as valedictorian of his class in 1955, he further
developed his music skills at North Carolina College at Durham (NCCU),
where he graduated “cum laude” with a major in music. While at North
Carolina College, he took private lessons at Duke University to
develop his maximum potential as a musician. During the summers, he
would travel to Atlantic City, New Jersey and work there as well as
play his saxophone in the clubs. During his summer experiences, he
played with Sid Austin and Lionel Hampton, noted professional
musicians of the day. While in college, Nat met his first wife who
performed with him as he played nightclubs in and around the Durham,
North Carolina area.
The highlight of his
college graduation ceremonies in 1960 was he and his wife, at that
time receiving their “Bachelor of Arts,” and his mother, Mrs. Ruth M.
Jones receiving her “Master of Arts,” in the same graduation
ceremony. Once his college education was completed, he worked as a
band director at P.S. Jones High School in Washington, North
Carolina. In Washington, Nat continued to play and organize bands to
play at night and during the weekends.
In 1962, Nat received
the opportunity to return to Kinston, North Carolina and begin a band
program at Woodington Consolidated School, where his mother worked as
a 7th grade language arts teacher. The band program began
with slow precision and in 1964, Nat had the opportunity to return to
his high school and serve as band director. While at Adkin High
School, Nat trained musicians in the band program at the school. Most
notable of his student musicians was Levi Raspberry, who went on and
joined Nat with the James Brown Band.
All during his
employment in Kinston as band director, he was continually building a
solid reputation as a musician with his bands. Dick Knight, famed
trumpet player from Florida also played with James Brown’ band.
Knight, who was recruited for the band by Nat, recollects when Nat
would have two bands playing in the same city at the same time, to
meet the needs of the clientele and provide opportunities for
musicians to play.
Not really satisfying
his goals as a musician, Nat traveled to Greensboro, in April of 1964,
where James Brown was in need of a set of speakers for a show they
were performing. Nat provided the speakers and from there he
auditioned for James Brown a few weeks later. At that stage in his
life, Nat decided he wanted to pursue professional music.
In April 1964, Nat
joined the James Brown Band where he rose to Band Director and wrote
many of his songs. Not being a selfish individual, Nat drew upon the
likes of Kinston, North Carolina musicians who joined the band upon
his recommendation and the approval of James Brown.
Nat appeared on the
Ed Sullivan Show with James Brown and the band in 1966. On that
appearance, he played the saxophone solo part in the song, “I GOT
YOU.” This was a great accomplishment for the Kinston, North Carolina
community. They traveled around the United States and in Europe
playing almost 365 days, year. He also appeared in the movie, “The
Tammy Show” in 1965, which was taped in Europe.
His skills were well
developed before joining the band and as a result, as a song writer
with a degree in music, he wrote many of the James Brown hits during
while associated with the band. His first accomplishment was his
picture on the cover of the James Brown album, “Grits and Soul.” He
also received credits with a bio on the back cover of the album, “Hey
America.”
