When you’re blessed with the amazing gift of song and powerful vocals like Ebony Jones, you can’t help but be inspired. Often referred to as a sultry R&B songstress, Jones isn’t one to be pigeonholed. Since age 11, the L.A. native has been tickling the senses with with her silky soprano style, but she can effortlessly traverse to classic rock and show tunes.
Find out more about this singer.
Do you most often actively seek inspiration or does it find you? Or is there a combination of the two?
Inspiration finds me through experiences; through thoughts and feelings that creep into my consciousness from all over the place. For me, organic inspiration hits me when I least expect it.
What led you to music and to your genre in particular?
I grew up in a home where music was a mainstay. It was such a consuming pastime for my father and brought him so much joy and pleasure. It was so uplifting and inspirational for my mother. And when I discovered that I had some vocal ability, it helped me connect with emotions in a way I’d never done before. It became a part of me, no different than my childhood “blankie” … which I still have.
How do you stay at the leading edge of your craft?
I enjoy music, all kinds of music, especially live music. While R&B is my primary style, I take in different vocal arrangements, styles and genres, and I can appreciate something about all of it. My music collection ranges from DJ Quik to Rachmaninoff, seriously, check my iTunes!
Do you think that there are any widely held misconceptions about artists? If so, what are they and how do you work to dispel them?
Sometimes artists can become revered in an almost sacrosanct fashion. You know, we put our pants on one leg a time, blow our noses when we have a cold, get tired when we work too hard … we’re people, too. “If you prick us, do we not bleed?” I’ll tell you one thing — it’s impossible for me to be disingenuous in any way. What you see is what you get. I’m me, all day, every day, and I can’t be any different.
How do you map out your goals? How do you measure your success?
Simple — Look to your heart, trust in God, plan your work, and work your plan, and I mean work. Celebrate every milestone on your journey, and even if you’re not sure what it’ll look like at the end of the path, have faith that it’ll end exactly where it’s supposed to be.
Who do you consider to be your peers in your field? Who do you see/use as examples for you to emulate?
I would love to one-day mention my name as an artist in the same vein along with Jill Scott or something like that. One day, I will. So many artists speak to me through their art: Jill, Mary J., Faith Evans. I let the soul infused into me through the artistry of others flow through to my music, my art, while always remaining uniquely me.
Name two of your top role models: one in the art world and one from outside of it?
1. My mother. She is the most amazing woman I know. Period. I’ve often said she needs to be canonized as a saint. Seriously, she’s such a good person; she makes me look bad.
2. In the art world? OK, this is going to be a strange response, but I would have to say my role model is no one and everyone. When I think of role model in the typical sense, I think of someone who is idolized for some reason or another, someone who others would want to emulate or be like. I can honestly say that every day, I strive to be the best individual me that I can be. In so doing, positive and not so positive role models are everywhere, and all that information helps shape the positivity that I want to bring into my life, be it success or love or generosity, and the negativity that I’d like to stay away from.
Name three books, works, performances or exhibits that changed how you view life and/or yourself?
This is a tough question for me. I try to be as true-to-self as possible when answering interview questions by answering with the first thing that comes to mind. The first image that came to mind was an educational video I saw in college that depicted black bodies hanging from trees. I recall watching in tears, while reflecting on the painful legacy of African Americans in this country. The second images were those of Jewish bodies burned in concentration camps, and being shook by that level of inhumanity and evil. The third was the moment when I watched the first tower fall on 9/11; I was too gutted to watch the 2nd. No works, books, performances, or exhibits have impacted the way I view things more so than some of the more atrocious realities of the world. I guess it’s this type of sensitivity that has fueled my passion to help others in the ways that I have.
What affirmations do you repeat to yourself that contribute to your success?
I actually used to repeat three affirmations on a daily basis, often more than once, until they became infused into my everyday belief system:
1) You are beautiful just the way you are.
2) You are worthy to be loved by someone great.
3) You have a bright and successful future ahead of you.
Check, check, and check!
What role does technology play in your day-to-day life? How do you utilize it?
I don’t know how I ever lived without an iPhone. I totally use it to organize my entire life and stay connected. I seriously would be useless without it.
What software, app or other technological innovation has made the biggest difference in your life and/or career?
Again, the iPhone. I seriously have a love-hate relationship with Siri. She really scolded me one day! Honest! I simultaneously wanted to curse her out and give her a hug.
Please define your personal brand?
I’d like to say quite simply, “What you see is what you get.” I can’t, though, because I’ve learned that what I see when I look in the mirror is not what others see. So, I’d say that the Gemini greatly influences what I offer. One side is simple, fun-loving, down-to-earth and easy going, with a strong desire for connectedness, while the other side is analytical, compassionate, passionate, fiery, and strongly believes in justice and fairness. I’m dichotomous, and I embrace that.
