OC Music Professor Heath Jones performs at the grand opening of The First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City

Jones played with the band “Native Blues” during an event that received nationwide attention. 

Oklahoma Christian University’s Music Program has no shortage of talented faculty, and Professor of Music Heath Jones’ accomplishments continue to make OC proud. Jones performed at the First Americans Museum in downtown Oklahoma City with the band “Native Blues” with Cecil Grey, owner of multiple Native American Music Awards.

Jones serves as a music professor at OC, directing the Sweat Band and Jazz Ensemble while also teaching world music, music education,  jazz improvisation, saxophone and music technology. He reflected on the musical performance at FAM.

"It was a great experience,” he said. “When we all start playing blues together, age, race and all markers just disappear. The power of music is that it breaks down all these walls and brings us all together."

The FAM tells the collective histories of 39 distinctive First American Nations in Oklahoma today by emphasizing their cultural diversity and contributions. Most tribal Nations were removed from homelands across the U.S. to what became the 46th state in 1907. Oklahoma’s name comes from two Choctaw words meaning Red People. 

The grand opening that Jones performed at was celebrated in numerous news stories around the country including Forbes magazine, the Smithsonian magazine and local papers like the Oklahoman. 

Additionally, Valarie Tatge, an OC adjunct professor of the cello, performed in a string quartet at the event. 

Jones truly enjoyed his experience performing at the museum’s grand opening.

“I am always amazed how music brings different cultures together,” he said. “It was a great day of music, Native American storytelling and traditional dances.”

For more information, visit The Smithsonian Magazine.

For more information on the museum opening, visit this link.