April 20, 2013
Gifted Young Pianist Dazzles Doraville Seniors 0
Written by Bob Kelley
Photography by Carol Gilman
The Phantom of the Opera was at the Doraville Civic Center recently, along with Bill Haley and His Comets, Judy Garland, Ray Charles and Rachmaninov…or at least music associated with all of them was there. A mini-concert presented at the Senior Citizens luncheon April 10, courtesy of musician Timothy Jones, had the entire audience toe tappin’ and hand clappin.’
Timothy is an accomplished young musician, recognized locally, nationally and internationally for his talent in playing both piano and organ, a notable feat considering the fact that he is blind. Possessing perfect pitch and an excellent memory has helped him overcome his handicap and he developed his musical skills listening to the music and learning to read music written in Braille.
At 19, this gifted young man has been studying piano for 13 years and organ for six years and is a popular entertainer at a wide array of gatherings including senior citizen events, playing for church groups, and at professional group functions. Timothy has also performed at local benefits such as the True-Blue-Do benefit for the Center for the Visually Impaired in Atlanta and a concert where he raised almost $1,500 for the victims of northeast Georgia tornadoes in 2011.
Not limited to one musical genre, his versatile repertoire includes classical music, traditional Christian music, popular songs, easy listening, jazz and rock and roll. He is a member of several organizations of professional musicians in Atlanta, including the American Guild of Organists, The Atlanta Music Club, the Pro-Mozart Society and the Chopin Society.
At the Doraville senior’s luncheon, Timothy mesmerized the audience with a 30-minute selection of music that included Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera, Bill Haley’s Rock Around the Clock, Garland’s Over the Rainbow and the beloved Georgia on my Mind, to name a few. His encore selection, enthusiastically requested by the senior audience, was a classical piece by Rachmaninov.
Timothy is the son of Norcross residents Nancy and Ray Jones and is the grandson of longtime Northwoods resident Mary Jones and her late husband, Paul. Ray Jones grew up in the historic neighborhood and the elder Jones’ were founding charter members of Northwoods First United Methodist Church.
When not practicing or performing, Timothy stays busy finishing high school as a homeschooler, participating in Boy Scouts, riding his bike, and keeping up with his friends or live-streaming music on his personal computer for the blind. He attends Berean Baptist Church.
The young musician hopes to pursue a dual career in both church music (piano and organ) as well as private performances for event music, senior citizen groups and sacred concerts. He also hopes to become involved in radio broadcasting, especially in sacred and classical radio.
Regarding his music, Timothy said, “When I hear really good musicians play, they can make me imagine things through their music. My ultimate goal in my music is to do the same thing—to make people feel and imagine through my music things that will bring them joy, help them improve their lives, overcome their fears and hardships and give them strength to have a better life.”
A big “thank you” to Timothy for sharing his musical gift with Doraville!
