OC music professor goes viral with the help of Saxy the squirrel
A Facebook post about an accidental encounter with nature has reached millions worldwide.
Screenshot courtesy of Heath Jones.
Oklahoma Christian University Professor and Program Chair for Music Heath Jones is known for having a son who is a top-ranked competitive bowler, and for the bowling alley the two built in their backyard during COVID-19 lockdowns. Early this July, the two traveled to bowling tournaments around the country. Afterward, Jones was scheduled to travel to OC’s Vienna Studies location to play the saxophone in a concert, meaning he had to find time during his U.S. travels to practice.
During a tournament stop in Indianapolis, Jones practiced outside at Garfield park, something he rarely does to keep his saxophone protected from humidity. While at the park, Jones became acquainted with a friendly squirrel who had no problem approaching him. The squirrel would sit and watch Jones as he played, occasionally interrupting practice by tapping him on the foot for another piece of a Clif Bar.
Jones knew he had to get proof of the special encounter, so he propped his phone up against a park bench to take a video. Once he got back to the hotel, Jones showed his son, who immediately encouraged him to upload the video to Facebook.
Soon, the video was reaching people all over the country, even reaching international fame; people in France and Saudi Arabia were sharing the video. Comments, shares and likes poured in as people watched the squirrel, affectionately nicknamed Saxy, listen to Jones’ music.
“I thought it was funny how many people would comment that they were having a bad day, but they'd watch the video and feel better,” Jones said. “It would turn their week around. Just 16 seconds to improve their whole mood.”
Because of the video’s popularity, Jones was contacted by several viral companies that were hoping to utilize his already popular video. He is now working with ViralHog and will receive 60% of the revenue created from the video.
"Dr. Jones is no stranger to viral videos,” John Fletcher, professor of music, said. “He and his son Eric created a bowling alley in their backyard when the pandemic took hold, and the video associated with that project went viral as well. This encounter with Saxy the squirrel was so fun, and is a testament to how music possesses the power to make connections between total strangers. It doesn't hurt that Dr. Jones is such a great sax player!"
Jones later made a mashup of the original squirrel video and a video of him playing the same song at the concert in Vienna.
John deSteiguer, president of OC, isn’t surprised at the popularity of Heath’s playing.
"We all know that Dr. Heath Jones is one of the best jazz artists around,” deSteiguer said. “He has talent, passion, and goodness that just overflows. Everyone I know loves listening to him and that seems to clearly be true throughout the entire animal kingdom! Nothing like dinner and music at a picnic in the park!"