Monarch Artist Feature: JonAnthony Floyed-Jackson

By Kelsey Knott • Photos By Matt Johnson

“I don’t think of what people would get out of listening to me–I think more about what they get out of being in the space and experiencing music together with people they didn’t know to build something of their own.” With building community at the forefront, JonAnthony Floyed-Jackson connects jazz and music lovers all over Louisville. 

In the fifth grade, JonAnthony was drawn to the cool, curvy saxophone when students experimented with the various instruments available. Although too many others in the class had claimed the sax before JonAnthony could, he evaded his teacher’s plans when his father took him shopping and asked him to buy the saxophone for class. 

And the rest is history. Playing with different bands and practice groups from Washington, DC to California, JonAnthony found his place in the Louisville jazz scene. “I didn’t connect with it as much until I moved to Louisville. Here, I feel connected to the people I practice with as well as other musicians and the community.” The JonAnthony jazz quintet can be found performing all over town, and they also host the Community Jazz Jam & Potluck at The Monarch each month. “I don’t know if it’s just Kentucky, but the people I’ve met here are mostly welcoming and friendly. When I first moved, I was less talkative and kind of shy. I didn’t know how to meet people, so I started going to music events and realized I can talk about music with people.” 

When it comes to inspiration, JonAnthony believes in the power of practice: “It’s therapy. It’s fun and relaxing. That keeps me interested in wanting to learn more and play more.” In addition to his quintet, JonAnthony has secured two other bands: Subtle Changes, a fusion jazz group, and Afrophysicist, an Afrobeats band. “When I first moved here, I started weirdly collecting people. I met a piano player I found on Craigslist. She’s amazing–my favorite piano player in the city. Her husband put a post on Craigslist for her, and she didn’t know about it. Then I got a bass player, drummer, and guitar player, and I ended up with a full quintet. They were like, ‘When are we gonna get gigs?’ And I just thought I was practicing. They keep me in a steady rhythm.” While he mostly plays jazz standards, JonAnthony feeds off his bandmates’ energy. “We’ll have our own creative journey, which’ll totally change the song. We’ll say, ‘Okay, this is a well-known jazz song, but how are we going to change it?’ A couple of guys in my group write songs, and we try to sprinkle those into our sets sometimes.” 

JonAnthony started jazz jam sessions in his backyard when outdoor barbecues were one of the few approved COVID activities, an event that has evolved at the Monarch as a donation-based potluck every second and fourth Sunday from 3 pm-6 pm. “I see it a lot–new people come to the jam sessions and exchange numbers. I love to see people connect and get to know each other, and eventually, see them playing together outside of here. I appreciate Mark for allowing us to do the jam sessions here.” Like most events at the Monarch, it’s free listening open to all ages with emphasis on tips to support artists, or just bring food to share at the potluck!

Though JonAnthony is doing his part, he recognizes the work still to be done in supporting jazz. “More jazz events are happening now in Louisville, beyond just NuLu, and musicians are trying to figure out how to get people to come support. Jazz musicians love performing, and we hope that people show up for us. There were a few places that did a lot of jazz that shut down to open up something else where they tried to do jazz, but then they were shut down too. It’s not supporting the venues as much as they should.” 

Catch JonAnthony’s quintet during a Foko brunch, at Noble Funk Brewing Company, or perhaps at the airport on Derby!