Bio
“Rico is one of the few original voices emerging. His musicianship and passion have forged an original voice we will joyfully be hearing more from in the future.”
— Vincent Herring, Downbeat Magazine
Rico Jones is a rising star and one of the most accomplished saxophonists of his generation. Based in Harlem, New York, he is a prolific performer, composer, and educator dedicated to pushing the boundaries of jazz while honoring its deep-rooted traditions. In 2024, he recorded his debut all-original jazz album under Giant Step Arts, a nonprofit founded by legendary jazz photographer Jimmy Katz, whose catalog includes Mark Turner, Jonathan Blake, Chris Potter, and Eric Alexander.
In February 2025, Rico made his debut at the Blue Note in New York City, performing as a special guest with Esperanza Spalding and her band on February 25 and 28.
In 2022, Rico co-led the first all-Indigenous big band, founded by Julia Keefe, premiering an original composition titled Earth at the Olympia Performing Arts Center in Washington State. The ensemble toured Alaska in 2023, premiering new big band music composed by Rico. In May 2024, the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band headlined the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center after completing a week-long residency, with Grammy Award winner Esperanza Spalding as a featured guest.
Continuing his international reach, Rico toured Ecuador in 2023 as part of the Joan Sanchez Quartet, bringing his music to audiences across the country.
Throughout his career, Rico has shared the stage with many of the world’s most renowned artists. As a sideman, he has worked with The Mingus Big Band, David Kikoski, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Papo Vázquez, Philip Harper, Bobby Watson, Sylvia Cuenca, Essiet Essiet, Veronica Swift, Sasha Berliner, Cyrus Chestnut, Russell Hall, Paul Bollenback, John Di Martino, Freddie Hendrix, Aaron Burnett, Mike Boone, Brad Goode, Greg Gisbert, Allan Harris, and many more.
Leading his own ensembles, he has collaborated with Victor Lewis, Vincent Herring, Victor Jones, Boris Koslov, Eric Harland, Michael Ode, Jonathan Blake, Dezron Douglas, Lonnie Plaxico, Max Light, Nasheet Waits, Joe Martin, Mike King, Rich Perry, Harold Summey, Matt Penman, Dan Weiss, Matt Clohesy, Yasushi Nakamura, Ari Hoenig, Lage Lund, Kush Abaday, Colin Stranahan, Rick Rosato, Peter Horvath, and others.
Rico has also been invited as a special guest in concerts with Peter Washington, Joe Farnsworth, Sullivan Fortner, Eric Wyatt, and Jonathan Kreisberg. In large ensemble settings, he has performed alongside Esperanza Spalding, Candido, Terence Blanchard, Joe Lovano, Ingrid Jensen, Bobby Sanabria, Javon Jackson, Terell Stafford, and many more.
Rico’s compositional work has also gained significant recognition. His original works have been recorded by artists such as bassist Will Lyle, pianist David Kikoski, tenor saxophonist Lucas Pino, and drummer Billy Drummond.
Among those who have musically mentored him are esteemed artists such as David Kikoski, Vincent Herring, Bennie Maupin, Charles McPherson, Bobby Watson, Eric Wyatt, Sonny Rollins, and George Coleman. Rico further refined his craft during his time at the Manhattan School of Music, where he had the privilege of studying under revered artists such as Buster Williams, Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo O’Farrill, and Miguel Zenón.
In 2019, he was awarded first prize in the Vandoren Emerging Artist competition, a testament to his exceptional talent and promise. That same year, he showcased his virtuosity by premiering a new big band composition written for him by Todd Bashore at the Music For All festival as a special guest with the Jazz Band of America. He was also selected to participate in prestigious programs such as the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center and the JAS Aspen workshop with Christian McBride in 2019. Rico made his international debut in Paris at the Sunset/Sunside Jazz Club that same year. His accomplishments continued to soar in 2020 as he competed in the inaugural Rudin Jazz Championship at Lincoln Center under the direction of Jon Faddis and became a finalist in the North American Saxophone competition. That same year, he was awarded as a winner of the Yamaha Emerging Artist competition.
During his senior year of college, Rico contributed to the musical community by teaching masterclasses at high schools and colleges across Colorado as an artist representative for the Vandoren company. His dedication and talent were recognized when he and his ensembles received four Downbeat awards in 2020, including accolades for “Jazz Soloist,” “Small Jazz Ensemble,” and two awards in the “Latin Jazz” category. He proudly graduated from the Manhattan School of Music, receiving the prestigious William H. Borden Award for Outstanding Achievement in Jazz in May 2020. This remarkable achievement earned him a full scholarship to pursue his master’s degree at the same institution. In 2021, he continued to garner accolades, receiving two more awards from Downbeat Magazine for “Jazz Soloist” and “Jazz Arrangement.”
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Rico remained dedicated to his community, organizing over 100 free community outdoor concerts at Sloan Lake, bringing jazz to Denver’s public spaces and attracting crowds of over 300 people each weekend. His efforts were widely recognized by PBS, local news outlets, and jazz publications. In April 2021, Rico performed at Red Rocks Amphitheatre with his band CounterCurrent. That same year, CounterCurrent performed at the Telluride Jazz Festival, sharing the lineup with Robert Glasper, Allison Miller, Christian Sands, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
Born and raised in Colorado, Rico’s musical upbringing was deeply rooted in the rich traditions of Black American music. From the age of 13, he performed in the gospel band at Cure D’Ars Church, a predominantly African American Catholic church, where he played weekly services and developed a deep connection to spiritual music and community.
Currently residing in Harlem, New York, Rico is dedicated to composing, practicing, directing bands, performing, and educating. He currently holds the position of Band and Choir Director at Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School, where he teaches predominantly Black and Latino children in Jersey City. Rico remains steadfast in his commitment to the art of music, constantly striving to traverse the globe and share his unique and compelling sound with audiences worldwide. His remarkable talent, unwavering dedication, and cultural resonance make him a true force to be reckoned with in the world of music.