Legendary Booker T Jones To Perform In Newton

NEWTON, MA - From Historic Newton: In a career that spans more than 55 years and a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award, Booker T. Jones has become known as a master storyteller. Historic Newton is pleased to present Jones live in concert on Saturday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Newton North High School. Tickets are now on sale at newtonma.gov/BookerT. Sponsorship tickets include premier seating and an after-party with Jones and his band.

When not touring or collaborating with musicians including The Roots and Drive-By Truckers, Jones is writing a memoir. Historic Newton recently asked him about the importance of storytelling in his career. Here are his answers.

Q: Why (or how) is storytelling so integral to your performances?

A: Having been in the music business nearly 60 years, people have expressed interest in the backstories and circumstances behind the songs and their creators. When was it recorded, what city, any[thing] unusual relating to how the music came to be. Also, I have had intimate moments
that are important to me and that have carried another color and layer to the song that I feel the audience wound enjoy hearing about.

Q: Do you often have a story in mind when you craft a song? Do the words come first, or the melody, or does it vary each time?

A: More often than not, there is a theme. Such as a hurtful relationship, or even a wonderful relationship. Then again, sometimes the idea just begins as a simple melody. The feeling and the idea of a song seems to come on me like a dam breaking open, due to many years of practicing the
craft and performing music.

Q: What's an example of a song you like (that you didn't write) that tells a compelling story, and why do you like it?

A: Bob Dylan’s “Gotta Serve Somebody” because of the inescapable truth of the message, and how Bob gives so many seemingly unrelated examples. It holds special meaning for me because it was one of the first times I was allowed to sing at large, prestigious performance – The Bob Dylan Tribute Concert at Madison Square Garden.

Q: What is one thing that people might be surprised to learn about your early life?

A: My hobby was photography. I became intrigued with the taking of pictures, to the point I had my own darkroom in the attic. One of my favorite pictures is a photo of my father that I took and developed myself. Pictures, like music, tell a story of a moment in time.

Q: Any advice for those who want to share and tell their stories?

A: People love stories. But they have an uncanny sense if there is any fabrication or untruth involved, so be careful. If it didn’t happen, don’t say it did.

Photo courtesy of Booker T. Jones, Historic Newton