Nayo Jones was born in Chicago, Illinois into a family of musicians. Her father, accomplished jazz musician and educator William 'Doc' Jones, nurtured her natural ability from a young age, and she grew up on jazz standards that later became the signature of her own show. She is also a classically trained flutist.
Now based in New Orleans, Jones performs regularly with her band, the Nayo Jones Experience, and has appeared at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, French Quarter Fest, and Satchmo SummerFest annually since 2012. Her band holds longstanding residencies at the Carousel Lounge in the historic Hotel Monteleone and the Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in the French Quarter. She has opened for George Benson, Chris Botti, Rick Braun, and Richard Elliot.
In addition to her own show, Jones tours as the featured vocalist with New Orleans trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and has toured with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra led by Adonis Rose, appearing as a featured vocalist on the orchestra's Allen Toussaint tribute album with a rendition of 'Ruler of My Heart.' Her body of work includes My Name is Nayo Jones, a Holiday Collection, a compilation with her father Doc Jones, the Nayo EP, The Nayo Jones Experience Live at the Kerr Cultural Center, and the EP With Love, Nayo Jones.
