Rodney Jones

Rodney Jones was born in New Haven, CT where he started playing guitar at age 6. Career highlights include playing with Dizzy Gillespie (three years), Lena Horne (20 years as guitarist/musical director), and Ruth Brown (guitarist/musical director). Extensive TV work including staff guitarist, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, The Cosby Show, Showtime at the Apollo, The Rhythm and Blues Foundation, and The Apprentice. As a leader recorded CDs for Blue Note Records, Verve, HighNote and others. Recordings with Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Burrell, Carl Allen, Billy Joel, Dave Koz, Ray Charles, Maceo Parker, James Brown. Master classes at Eastman School, Berklee College, and others. Has toured internationally and given lectures worldwide on music as well as the Art of Spiritual Living at Eckankar seminars.

Rodney studied at City College of New York with pianist John Lewis, founder of the Modern Jazz Quartet. Studies with guitar legend Bruce Johnson.

He has been on the faculty of the Juilliard School since 2007.