Dan Jones Is Taking British Country Rock to the Next Stage
There’s a certain fire that separates guitar-slinging dreamers from artists who actually make an impact. Dan Jones, a UK-based guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, is one of those rare few.
Meet Fighting Jazz, the instrumental rock trio blending jazz, math rock, and post-rock to create music that speaks where words fall short. Guided by guitarist Ness and joined by drummer Zachary Brinkmeyer and bassist Efrain Zaragoza, the band has crafted a distinct style. Emphasizing raw emotion and unrestrained creativity, they bring listeners into deeply personal soundscapes, leaving space for fans to draw their own stories from each track.
A Soundtrack of Raw Emotion
Fighting Jazz’s music is built around emotion, creating instrumental stories that resonate with listeners. "Our theme is emotion—fighting and flow—because it changes so often," Ness shares, highlighting how their compositions shift from melodic to intense, capturing a range of feelings. Without lyrics, the trio’s music invites listeners to connect on their terms, allowing each person to interpret the tracks through their unique experiences. For Ness, music is a way to channel feeling directly, and hearing fans’ personal interpretations reinforces the power of their art.
Influences Without Boundaries
With an eclectic range of inspirations, Fighting Jazz defies easy categorization. Ness, who grew up without a single “guitar hero,” instead aims to capture the sounds they’ve never heard. This relentless search for originality is reflected in a sound influenced by bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Cinema Staff, known for their genre-bending compositions. Ness’s approach to guitar marries the spontaneity of jazz with the structure of math rock, yielding a style that’s both intricate and unfiltered, a fusion that allows the band to express complex emotions through powerful musical storytelling.
The Collaborative Process
Songwriting within Fighting Jazz is a collaborative and evolving art. Ness often brings an initial idea to practice, which then transforms as each band member adds their perspective. Recently, the band has taken a more experimental approach, building songs through improvisation and piecing recordings together. Ness views each song as “a living thing that finds you, but it takes work,” embracing the unexpected paths that creativity can take. This process allows each song to grow organically, blending personal emotion with collective expression to create a sound that feels both intimate and cohesive.
DIY Visuals as Art in Motion
The same hands-on approach the trio takes in music extends to their visuals. Initially using fan art, the band has since taken control of their visual identity, with Ness experimenting with mediums like oil pastels for show posters and learning video editing to produce their first music video. This DIY ethos is central to Fighting Jazz’s identity, allowing them to maintain authenticity while continually exploring new forms of expression. They approach every visual element as an extension of their music, crafting visuals that enhance their art’s impact.
Conclusion
Fighting Jazz isn’t just a band—it’s an experience. With a commitment to emotive composition, hands-on creativity, and a collective process, Ness, Zachary, and Efrain have crafted a unique journey that resonates deeply with fans. Through powerful instrumentals and an unfiltered approach to both music and visuals, Fighting Jazz invites listeners to find meaning, reflection, and a shared sense of exploration in each piece. As they continue to evolve and push creative boundaries, Fighting Jazz stands as a testament to the possibilities within instrumental rock, building connections that go beyond sound. "Find what you’re fighting for," Ness says, "and embrace the challenge."
