A versatile, engaging percussion artist and musical polymath, Christopher G. Jones brings his unique blend of energy, artistry, and Personality to his multifaceted career

 

Equally comfortable in solo, chamber, and large ensemble settings, he blends various aspects of modern percussion techniques into captivating and unparalleled performances. He is a founding member of the innovative flute and percussion group, A/B Duo and a former member of the percussion quartet, Clocks in Motion.

An advocate for the commissioning and cultivation of new works for percussion, his work with these ensembles have led to over thirty new pieces for percussion, including those from composers Jennifer Bellor, Andrew Rindfleish, Ivan Trevino, Olivia Kieffer, Ken Ueno, Drew Baker and Brendon Randall-Myers. 

In addition to his work with A/B Duo, he has had the pleasure to collaborate with groups such as Ensemble Dal Niente, Third Coast Percussion, Fonema Consort, and Chamber Cartel. He has appeared in solo and chamber series at the University of Chicago, Virginia Tech, SUNY-Fredonia, University of Illinois,  Skaneateles Festival, Fringe Festival of Rochester, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, and the Goat Farm Arts Center in Atlanta.

Having developed his career as a freelancer in various parts of the country, Chris has performed with a number of orchestras including the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Finger Lakes Opera, International Beethoven Project Orchestra, Conway Symphony Orchestra and the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. He currently performs as principal timpani with the Holland Symphony Orchestra.

Chris currently serves on faculty at Grand Rapids Community College, teaching applied percussion, music theory, and music appreciation. He also curates and directs the percussion ensemble. He has held positions at Trevecca Nazarene University, Tennessee Technological University, and the University of Central Arkansas. He received his Doctorate of Musical Arts and Master of Music from the Eastman School of Music and his Bachelor of Music from Florida State University. His teachers include Michael Burritt, John Parks, James Ross, Bill Cahn, Charles Ross, Rich Thompson, and John Evans. 

He currently resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his lovely wife Monica, and their two dogs, Trooper and Dozer.