By Coral Gables Gazette staff
The University of Miami’s Gusman Concert Hall will host one of the most anticipated jazz events of the season: an electrifying evening with trumpet virtuoso Sean Jones, performing alongside the Frost Jazz Orchestra and Seek the Source, on Thursday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $40, but the music promises to be priceless—equal parts reverent, radiant, and rhythmically rich.
Known for weaving together music and spirituality, Jones has carved out a space where technical mastery meets emotional depth. His performances don’t merely impress—they uplift. “When Jones solos, soaring with a gentle strength as his band swells behind him, it’s not just a pretty melody… it’s praise,” Jazz Times once observed. That blend of artistry and devotion will be on full display as he joins forces with Frost’s top jazz talent for a concert that transcends genre and expectation.
A jazz career rooted in church and ascension
Born and raised in Warren, Ohio, Jones grew up immersed in gospel music, first as a drummer, then as a trumpet player beginning at age 10. Singing in his church choir, he absorbed the language of worship and the power of call-and-response—skills that would later surface in his improvisational voice.
Though grounded in faith traditions, Jones’s career has been anything but narrow. His musical journey includes six years as lead trumpeter with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra under Wynton Marsalis, performances with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter on the Tribute to Miles tour, and recordings with Nancy Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Marcus Miller, and Illinois Jacquet. He’s also an alumnus of the SFJAZZ Collective and a celebrated recording artist in his own right, with eight albums released on Mack Avenue Records, including Live from the Jazz Bistro.
But what makes Jones distinctive is not just his résumé—it’s his presence. He plays the trumpet like a pastor delivers a sermon: with conviction, tenderness, and fire. That dual sensibility, sacred and secular, is the throughline of Thursday night’s program.
The Frost Jazz Orchestra: Swing with structure and soul
The Frost Jazz Orchestra, one of the University of Miami’s premiere large ensembles, will be led by co-directors John Daversa and Marcus Strickland, both powerhouses in their own right. Daversa, a Grammy-winning trumpeter and composer, is chair of the Frost School of Music’s Department of Studio Music and Jazz. Strickland, an acclaimed saxophonist and producer, brings a modern, groove-oriented edge to everything he touches.
Together, they form the guiding force behind a student ensemble that has consistently dazzled audiences and critics alike. Thursday’s concert is not just a guest appearance—it’s a fully integrated collaboration, with Jones anchoring and elevating the ensemble’s already high-caliber musicianship.
While the official setlist has not been released, past Jones programs have included originals from his Mack Avenue catalogue as well as deeply personal reinterpretations of jazz standards and spirituals. With Seek the Source on the bill—a group rooted in exploratory jazz traditions—the evening promises a mix of complexity and catharsis.
‘I’m trying to connect’
The venue itself, UM’s Gusman Concert Hall at 1314 Miller Drive, is known for its superb acoustics and intimate setting, making it a favorite among Coral Gables concertgoers. With a seating capacity of just over 600, the space offers both clarity and connection—perfect for a music experience as emotionally charged and dynamically nuanced as this one.
For students, artists, and anyone seeking meaning through music, the performance offers more than entertainment. It’s an invitation to reflect, to rejoice, and to listen deeply.
As Jones once said in a masterclass interview, “When I play, I’m not trying to show off. I’m trying to connect—to something higher, to the audience, and to the tradition that made me.”
Tickets and details
Tickets are available through the Frost School of Music’s website and range from $15 for students to $40 for premium seating. The concert begins promptly at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 7:00. Parking is available in nearby university lots, and livestream information will be posted online for those unable to attend in person.
In an age of noise and novelty, Sean Jones offers something rare: music with integrity. Whether blowing fiery bebop lines or whispering a phrase that sounds like a prayer, he plays with purpose. On Thursday night, that purpose lands squarely in Coral Gables—and listeners would do well to heed the call.
