I am a lyric soprano. Although I have performed art songs and operatic arias in recitals around the United States, my interest has turned towards the concert performance of Negro Spirituals. I have begun presenting recitals and lecture recitals on spirituals. Most of this activity is part of my research project called The Art of the Negro Spiritual (ANS). (More about this below.)

Pianist William Tinker and I are preparing a new ANS program of spirituals on Sunday, April 6, 2008, at Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa. The program includes Margaret Bonds' Five Creek-Freedman Spirituals and works by Undine Smith Moore, Julia Perry, Thomas Kerr, Jr., Robert L. Morris, Hale Smith, Betty Jackson King, Uzee Brown, Maria Thompson Corley, Moses Hogan, and John Carter. The recital of settings by 20th Century composers continues a series where the first part focused on composers born in the years following the American Civil War--children of former slaves and pioneers of the spiritual art songs.

These recitals serve as an opportunity to share the music created by pioneers, such Burleigh's "Deep River". I also explore works by contemporary composers of spiritual art songs, including a solo vocal setting of "I Want Jesus to Walk with Me," which was composed especially for me by Maria Thompson Corley. I invite you to look at one of the Recital Programs.

I have also enjoyed opportunities to present recitals featuring both American and European composers. Click to view program or click to listen to Rachmaninoff's "Vocalise" recorded during one of those programs. If you would like to have this program presented in your locale, call me at 202-904-3635.

Other upcoming performances and/or lectures will be announced on this site. Please check regularly for more information.

I released my debut recording, Come Down Angels, in August 2003. The CD includes spiritual art songs by composers Edward Boatner, Margaret Bonds, H. T. Burleigh, John Carter, Maria Corley, R. Nathaniel Dett, Roland Hayes, Hall Johnson, Betty Jackson King, Robert Mac Gimsey, Undine Smith Moore, Julia Perry, and Hale Smith. The recording comes from live performances I presented accompanied by pianist Francis Conlon. To order copies of the compact disc, visit AhhJay Music at www.ahhjayrecords.com.

Musical Selections Performed by Randye Jones:
This Little Light of Mine by Hale Smith (with Francis Conlon, piano)
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me by Maria Thompson Corley (with Gregory Thompson, piano)
Vocalise, op. 34, no. 14, by Sergei Rachmaninoff (with Timothy Newton, piano)
Deep River by Harry T. Burleigh (with Timothy Newton, piano)