Charles CeeJay Jones

About Charles CeeJay Jones

Charles CeeJay Jones is an American R&B/Soul crossover singer, actor, and songwriter who was born Charles Jayson-Edward Jones on May 4th, 1985. He grew up in the projects of Victor Tulane Court in Montgomery, Alabama with his mother and father before moving to the north side of the city. Music was all around him as a young child and he began singing around the age of three. Highly infused from constant music that was played daily in his home by his mother. The music of artists such as Gladys Knight, James Brown, The Clarke Sisters, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, The Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, Shirley Caesar, Janet Jackson, Otis Redding, The O'Jays, The Emotions, Babyface, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Pebbles, Karyn White, The Williams Brothers, & Stevie Wonder amongst many others constantly filled his home as a young child. By the age of 7, his strong love for music had developed full force and he began listening to more R&B, rock, funk, hip-hop, pop, and jazz developing a very diverse taste and catalog. It was during this time that he truly became further inspired by legends Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, and became motivated as he watched and listened to his new favorites such as TLC, Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mariah Carey, Bobby Brown, Tevin Campbell, After 7, Lenny Kravitz, Sting, Melissa Etheridge, En Vogue, Jodeci, and Chante' Moore. It was very evident that his taste was evolving independently and he began singing in church and at school.

As a late teenager while serving as President of the youth choir and youth department at his church he began to gravitate towards the performance art of acting while still continuing to sing. Charles attended summer theatre camps every summer and by the age of 18, world-renowned actress Tonea Stewart awarded him a full scholarship in Theatre Arts to attend Alabama State University. During his tenure at Alabama State University, he won several awards for his acting and singing skills and was also named President of Theatre Arts Dramatic Guild by his senior year. Charles graduated Cum Laude' with honors.

Charles went on to become an educator of Theatre Arts while pursuing his Masters in English & Criminal Justice, not leaving music too far behind as he joined an all male R&B singing group in 2010. The group began recording but disbanded shortly after. After the group's breakup, he began writing and was featured on several artists' studio recordings and live shows around his hometown.

In 2012, Charles performed in his first live solo debut concert opening for TySoul & Limitless Band and after that began writing songs in preparation for a debut recording album. The following year, after competing in an 8 weeklong competition, he won the title of The Alabama Voice 2013. Charles took a break from writing and began performing live frequently between 2013 and 2015 doing several shows year round while still teaching with the Montgomery Public School System.

By June 2015, Charles began writing again and went into the studio to record his debut album, which would consist of several cover songs ranging in genre to capture complete versatility and diversity. It was also during this time that his father fell ill due to complications with colon cancer. This took a tremendous toll on him mentally and emotionally, but he put it all into his work and continued to record and write for the album throughout his father's illness and death. His father died on July 12, 2015.

"This album consist of original and cover songs that describe my life at some point over the past years... Through love, hurt, pain, joy, ups, downs, highs, and lows. I stripped myself down and opened up. I wanted to pick songs that not only had great melodies but also had absolutely great lyrics. I also wanted to write strong lyrics that were relatable to the listener, yet still remained true to how I feel or how I have felt at a specific point in my life. That way I could sing and tell a story from a point of truth..." -Charles CeeJay Jones, 11/2015

While still grieving, Charles wrapped recording for the album in October 2015. In November of 2015, he released his debut single, "Can't Let Go" to great reviews. The single remained number 1 for R&B/Pop in Alabama for 2 months straight and is currently still in the top 10 as of the first quarter of 2016. The single is now available worldwide through several digital outlets such as iTunes, CdBaby, & Amazon as well several radio streaming programs such as Spotify & Jango. Charles' debut album entitled, Stripped/Covered: HIStory is scheduled to be released Spring 2016.