Ron Jones, President/CEO of Maximum Entertainment, has enjoyed a diverse career as a versatile musician, composer, record producer and promoter.
Ron is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter from New Orleans. Born into a musical family, he is the son of Joe Jones, and uncle to famed film producer, Quincy Newell.
He performs as a Solo Artist, Duo, Trio, and with his Full Band. He is well versed in all genres of music, has written songs, and co-written songs for multi-Grammy award winners Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Daniel Lanois and La La Brooks of “The Crystals.” He has performed with legendary greats including Little Richard, Patti LaBelle, Tracy Chapman, Daniel Lanois, Allen Toussaint, Leo Nocentilli of The Meters, Zigaboo of The Meters and The Neville Brothers. Ron has produced albums for renowned Louisiana legends Big Chief Bo Dollis & The Wild Magnolias, Mardi Gras Indians, Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters and La La Brooks of the Crystals.
A native of New Orleans, Ron was influenced early on by Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint, James Booker and Earl Palmer. Ron recorded a tribute album featuring classic songs from New Orleans, titled “Come to New Orleans”, honoring his hometown heroes.
Ron’s father, Joe Jones, was another music staple of New Orleans,known for his self-penned classic, “You Talk Too Much.” A true legend of Rhythm and Blues, Joe Jones launched careers of The Dixie Cups [“Chapel of Love/Iko Iko”], Aaron Neville [“Tell It Like It Is”] and Alvin ‘Shine’ Robinson [“Something You Got”. As a child, Ron was surrounded by musical icons including Fats Domino, B.B. King, Professor Longhair and James Booker. Some of Ron’s first piano instructions came from none other than close family friend, Fats Domino.
As a studio musician, Ron recorded as a drummer, keyboardist, vocalist and percussionist on recordings with Sarah McLachlan, Daniel Lanois, The Neville Brothers, Marc Cohn, Robbie Robertson, Chris Whitley, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, The Wild Magnolias and others. From there, he catapulted his career by composing and performing on major motion picture soundtracks including Sling Blade, The Last of the Mohicans, Thelma and Louise and also scoring the documentary Why We Laugh, starring Steve Harvey, Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock, produced by Quincy Newell. Credits also include: Musical Director for MTV’s Superbowl Jams; Assistant Musical Director to Allen Toussaint for the off Broadway Musical “Staggerlee”.
In addition, Ron promotes New Orleans artists throughout the world with “The Sounds of New Orleans Revue.” It includes Trombone Shorty, Leo Nocentill of the Meters, The Rebirth Brass Band, Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters and James Andrews. His production company, Maximum Entertainment, produces and composes music for corporate and political clients, including but not exclusive to television and radio ads.
When he’s not performing or recording, Ron devotes his musical talent and time to the youth and elderly population within the Greater New Orleans area in his efforts to educate, inspire, uplift, and motivate, through his Non-Profit Organization Restoring Hope.