Citing inspirations such as Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Nat King Cole, Nancy Wilson and Ella Fitzgerald, Christina Jones’ passion for music started at an early age, heavily influenced by her father’s taste in R&B and Soul.

A musician, actress, voice over artist and synesthete in her own right, Christina remembers fondly those years dancing around the home, one that was always filled with music, so it is no surprise that music has had such a huge role in shaping who she has become today.

For her debut album You Were My Compass, Jones paired with and unlikely partner, former Olympic weightlifter/powerlifter champion turned composer and pianist, Kimiko Ishizaka. This surprising yet charismatic collaboration is all about love lost and found again.

IdentifyLA got the opportunity to chat about her upcoming album, her inspirations, and so much more.

The following has been edited for continuity purposes.

Identify LA: What inspired you to become an artist?  

Christina Jones: I’ve always wanted to be a performer. Wherever there was a stage, I found a way to make a space for myself. I think looking at my idols, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson and the like, made me want to be just as much of an entertainer as they were.  

IDLA: 2020 was a challenging year for many people. How did you use these challenges to create more? 

CJ: To be honest, 2020 was my lowest point mentally. I think, for me, creating was survival; being alone with my thoughts forced me to bring them out through song or poetry or just plain singing.

IDLA: Favorite project of yours and why? 

CJ: If I had to choose, it would probably be the sets that I do for my job through my school. I’m a part of a group (that I’m now co-directing) called Conservatory Cabaret, and before quarantine, our job was to create sets of group numbers and duets for performances at assisted living homes. We still performed virtually when quarantine happened, as live performances were cancelled, and the creativity in that group was so refreshing for me as an artist. 

IDLA: Which artist(s) and or people would you like to collaborate with and why?  

CJ: Most of the people that I would love to work with are dead, haha! But if I had to choose, I would say Nina Simone or Ella Fitzgerald. As far as artists who are alive, probably Janelle Monae or Lizzo (I know, very different styles, but I appreciate their creativity, and I’d love to see how their minds work) 

IDLA: In your opinion, what makes a good artist?  

CJ: To me, a good artist is one who writes honestly. I think nowadays it’s so easy to fall into the mindset of whether or not our art is marketable or able to be monetized in some way, and it can really impact the way a person writes or creates. But to me, the best art is the art that is authentically unique to that artist.

IDLA: What's next? 

CJL I just released the album I’ve been working on with Kimiko Ishizaka, which can be found on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1vjNpnrmdMkGcCNZEID3wW?autoplay=true) or iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/you-were-my-compass/1575826353).

I’m also going to be playing Janet in Rocky Horror this October at Moonbox Productions in Cambridge, MA.

*Album Cover Photo Credit: Martika Green