Eldon fell in love with music from listening to his uncles play saxophone and his mother sing. He began playing sax in his church and at Jefferson High School in Portland, where he won awards in classical and jazz. From there, he studied music at Mt. Hood Community College, the pinnacle of jazz education in the Northwest. Grover Washington, Jr., Wilton Felder of the Crusaders, and Kirk Whalum inspired his playing. Eldon values his role as a mentor and has provided a training ground for outstanding musicians including his brother Anthony Jones (Pink Martini), Chris Turner (Prince, Stevie Wonder), Darius Fentress (Fred Hammond), and pianist Patrick Cooper. N Touch currently features Zack Poelwijk, a next-level talent who roots the group in gospel on keyboard, savvy vet Torry Ward on bass, Jonathan Schuler on bluesy guitar, and returning members Anthony Jones and his jaw-dropping drum solos and funky Chris Turner on auxiliary keyboards and keytar. Eldon continues to play in church and performs at community events such as the Oregon Symphony’s Gospel Christmas, Good N the Hood, and charity concerts. He is currently recording new singles and performing Grover Washington, Jr tribute concerts.
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