Memphis-born, New York-based saxophonist and composer Bernell Jones II returns with 1979′. A groove-rich jazz fusion single featuring acclaimed keyboardist and producer Julius Rodriguez. Blending lo-fi warmth, late-night jazz textures, disco-inspired rhythms and fluid improvisation, the track arrives as both a tribute to musical heritage and a defining step forward in Bernell’s evolving sound.
Originally conceived during the isolation of the 2020 lockdown period, ‘1979’ first took shape in Bernell’s small New York bedroom as part of a self-recorded Bandcamp project, with the musician performing nearly every instrument himself. Over the years, the song continued to evolve through live performances and collaboration, eventually transforming into a fuller, more expansive recording shaped by live chemistry and analog-inspired atmosphere.
To realise that vision, Bernell enlisted Julius Rodriguez, whose boundary-pushing approach to jazz, hip-hop, R&B and experimental music became central to the track’s final form. Rodriguez’s synth work adds a cinematic quality to the release, elevating its shimmering grooves and smoky textures into something immersive and transportive.
The single’s title references 1979, the year Michael Jackson released Off The Wall, an album that profoundly influenced Bernell’s musical upbringing. “The title 1979 pays homage to my favorite artist of all time, Michael Jackson,” he explains. “Off The Wall had a huge impact on me as a child and as a musician. I didn’t want to recreate that album sonically, but I wanted to capture the mood and the feeling it gave me.”
That spirit echoes throughout the track, where funk-driven basslines, rich synth layers and expressive saxophone melodies merge into a sound that feels nostalgic while remaining distinctly contemporary. Equally suited to intimate headphone listening and downtown jazz clubs, ‘1979’ captures a sense of movement, warmth and emotional familiarity.
Alongside collaborations with artists including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Olivia Dean and Eric Bellinger, Bernell has steadily established himself as one of the most exciting young voices in contemporary jazz. His debut album TYPEWRITER showcased his ambition to bridge jazz tradition with broader modern audiences, while his online documentary-style series What It’s Like Being a Musician in NYC has further connected him with a growing audience through humour, honesty and insight into life as a working musician.
With ‘1979’, Bernell Jones II continues to push jazz fusion into fresh territory while honouring the records that shaped him, delivering a track that feels timeless, intimate and unmistakably alive.
Photography Indie Studios NYC
