Birmingham City Schools Graduate Guitarist Robert Jones Jr. Delights Hometown During Maxwell Tour (Photos)

Story and photos by Marika N. Johnson | For the Birmingham Times

On Saturday evening, Birmingham was treated to an unforgettable night of neo soul and R&B as Grammy-winning singer Maxwell took the stage at Legacy Arena. The Serenade Tour made a stop in the Magic City, where Maxwell mesmerized fans with his signature smooth vocals and soulful hits.

Maxwell was joined by two incredible talents: singer-songwriter October London and R&B powerhouse Jazmine Sullivan. Both artists set the stage with their unique styles, contributing to the evening's rich mix of soul, passion and musical artistry.

The star for his hometown crowd, however, was Birmingham-born guitarist Robert Jones Jr., who is touring with London. Jones' smooth, skillful guitar playing complemented the London vocals and gave the Birmingham audience a rousing performance.

Jones Jr., a current Birmingham resident, grew up in the Jones Valley area and attended Wenonah High School. His performance at Legacy Arena was a heartfelt reminder of his local roots. As he continues to tour and share his musical talents on national stages, Jones encourages other artists to “never give up on your dreams” and “what's for you is for you.”

Maxwell's Serenade Tour is a tribute to his career, known for timeless tracks such as “Pretty Wings,” “Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)” and “Fortunate” that continue to resonate with audiences. With Sullivan's powerful voice and London's smooth melodies, the show epitomized R&B excellence and proved Maxwell's sentiments, which he shared on stage: “The mic is on!”