Reader Spotlight: Jeanette Jones

Meet Jeanette Jones, a busy person and busy bassist from Staten Island, NY, and our player in the spotlight for April 19, 2011.

Bio:

I am an overextended mother of four who fits playing with multiple bands into my life because of how important it is for me to be connected to music. I stopped playing for quite some time to raise my children but found there was something missing and I wasn’t being true to who I was. Though cooking is also a creative outlet, it does not compare to the thrill of playing live music.

Location:

Staten Island, NY USA

Day gig:

Chef in our family-owned health food stores, aptly named Family Health Foods, located here on Staten Island.

Years experience:

Almost 30 years

Bands & Gigs:

I am in two bands, one original, Joyous Noise, which has music on iTunes and has had radio play in NYC on 101.9. The other band is a cover band called Atomic Dog and we play NYC, its boroughs and New Jersey. I sub for the all-girl band Kathouse, which hails from New Jersey, and I’ve had the honor to work with Glen Burtnik (Styx), playing his original music in local gigs.

I gig frequently and support many of my friends by going to see them play and am often called up to jam with them.

Gear:

• Lakland Darryl Jones signature series jazz bass
• Spectre 80’s reissue
• 50th Anniversary Fender Jazz
• Flea bass
• Fender fretless semi hollow body
• Peavy 80’s jazz
• SWR Marcus Miller pre-amp
• SWR working pro 400 and 700
• SWR 2X10 cabinet
• SWR 1X15, 1X10, tweeter cabinet
• 2 Hartke 4X10 cabinets

Why I play the bass:

My first love was the drums, but I wasn’t allowed to play them because my mother thought they were too loud and took up too much room. I wanted to still be part of the bottom, the foundation of the band and the rhythm section. Nothing gets me going more than a great groove.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

In the 80’s, I was in an original all-girl hard rock/metal band called Missdemeanor. We recorded for the European record label CNR and caught the eye of Larry Hartke. Larry offered us an endorsement deal and I still have those cabinets and use them.

I had the pleasure of playing the Iron Maiden/Anthrax after party following their concert at Madison Square Garden at the Limelight with this band. It was a dream come true to be in a place playing for one of my idols.

Recently I had the honor of being part of the Asbury Park Musical Heritage Concert playing with Glen Burtnik at the historic Stone Pony. Wonderful night and great musicians.

My influences

John Paul Jones, Steve Harris, Flea, Marcus Miller, Geddy Lee and countless others whom I have the pleasure of listening to and being moved by their style, dexterity and musicality.

More on the web:

• Facebook
• Myspace
• Kathouse