The Timeliness of Kendall Jones
“No story is a straight line. The geometry of a human life is too imperfect and complex, too distorted by the laughter of time and the bewildering intricacies of fate to admit the straight line into its system of laws.” - Pat Conroy, author
Come with me on a journey, dear reader, for this month’s blog illuminates not only the heart of Kendall Jones but also the heart of life itself. I have read that who you are right at this moment is the result of every person you have ever met, every interaction you have ever had, every book and movie you have absorbed, and every piece of music you have listened to. This means that five days from now I will be a different person because I will have experienced more than I have today. When we look at the life of Kendall Jones, we can see this concept in action. Let’s follow his journey through music, shall we?
Discovering Music
Kendall has lived in Albuquerque since the age of two. Even from a young age, he loved music, particularly listening to the oldies with his parents. Noticing his attraction to music, Kendall’s parents enrolled him in piano lessons. Which he hated. Intensely.
It was not until 6th grade, when his parents relented and bought him an acoustic guitar, that Kendall discovered an outlet for his love of music. An acoustic guitar eventually led to an electric guitar and, says Kendall, that was that. There was no looking back. He was enthralled by the possibilities.
Exploring Music
During high school, Kendall joined a band, providing him the opportunity to explore the dynamics of music being made by a group instead of an individual. During this stage of growth, his teacher Andrew Poling was instrumental in deepening Kendall’s appreciation for music.
Kendall remembers going to Mr. Poling with any piece of music and watching as his teacher deconstructed the different elements that composed the piece. For Kendall, this was a magical skill that filled him with a sense of wonder while also pulling him deeper into the world of music. Mr. Poling would remain an important influence for Kendall even after he left high school.
Immersing in Music
In Kendall’s early college years, he became enthralled by jazz music. He decided, without doubt, that jazz guitar was his passion and his future. He set out to earn a degree in jazz guitar. To do so, he applied himself with full focus to the intensity that is the jazz world. To be a successful jazz guitarist requires a perfection of guitar skills that in turn require hours of practice. He threw himself into this world and, though he loved it, he also felt - ever so slightly - like something was missing. But surely not, his mind would remind him. This is most definitely what you want. And so Kendall reapplied himself and continued down the path.
Kendall was fortunate to spend two years of his college career in New Orleans, as part of the study abroad option at University of New Mexico. It was during this adventure that Kendall started to understand music. Music is not just a thing in New Orleans. Music is the thing. It is woven into every element of culture. As he adapted to this new world, his musical focus became broader. He was able to study music as a whole, instead of focusing on just one element. This gave him an appreciation of music as an adaptable, shifting entity. Like a liquid, music could fill any container and it was the musician’s role to craft that container. After returning to Albuquerque to finish his degree, Kendall graduated with a BA in Music.
Finding the Path
Kendall always assumed he would return to New Orleans, the place where music had come alive for him. On the other hand, he enjoyed being near friends and family in Albuquerque. After graduation, he remained in his hometown, working to start a band and eventually becoming an instructor at School of Rock. Just like with jazz guitar, he applied himself fully to the task at hand.
As part of the music scene in Albuquerque, Kendall often crossed paths with Kevin Herig, who continually tried to lure him into the world of Rock 101. It would pique his interest but Kendall’s mind would remind him that School of Rock was his place. He refocused and eventually earned the title of General Manager. Even though he was working hard and doing a great job, he also felt - ever so slightly - that something was missing. Just like those piano lessons and the intensity of the jazz guitar world, Kendall was not happy.
As more of his friends found positions at Rock 101, Kendall eventually made the shift as well. Just like discovering the acoustic guitar in 6th grade, the relocation to Rock 101 felt natural. That was that, says Kendall. There was no looking back.
Honoring the Path
Kendall has found his home at Rock 101. He loves the combination of quality instruction and the element of fun. He loves the community to be found amongst both co-workers and students. Music, for Kendall, is very simply everything. It is the only thing he gets completely lost in. It surrounds him in every area of his life. It takes him to a myriad of places, emotionally. In addition, the mechanics of musical creation continue to instill wonder within him.
Kendall has been working for Rock 101 as an instructor since 2023. When asked about it, he shrugs and says, “I don’t know why it took me so long to get here.” But you and I, dear reader, I do believe we know the answer. Our stories, as we have discovered, are not straight lines. Each one wiggles, meanders, and sometimes even circles back as we find our way.
If we look deeply at Kendall Jones, we will see how each chapter in his story shaped him, inspired him, and imbued him with knowledge. We can see Mr. Poling emerge every time Kendall deconstructs music with one of his students. We can see his dedication to jazz guitar when he creates music and when he teaches guitar theory. We can see the culture of New Orleans in the very way Kendall appreciates music and weaves it into his life. Kendall is a kaleidoscope of every experience he has ever had. Take out any one of those pieces and the final product changes completely.
Anatole France reminds us, “If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.” Though it may feel like it took Kendall a long time to find Rock 101, I would argue quite the opposite. He arrived, very precisely, right on time. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
- Danielle Parker