Friendship Forged in the Jazz Ensemble

Jerrauld and I were the founding members of the Princeton University Jazz Ensemble (PUJE). In fact, it was Jerrauld who asked me to join, saying, “We’ll be the brothers in the group.” Jerrauld and I are in the promotional photo taken, and though he wasn’t at the inaugural concert at Alexander Hall in 1975, I knew only a family matter would have kept him away. I met up with Jerrauld at the 40th Reunion of Princeton’s Class of ’76 where I heard of his work as a judge in Norfolk. Our last conversation came by phone, right after the 50th reunion of the Jazz Ensemble. When we finally connected, we spent almost an hour on the phone, and I reminded him of how it all started with PUJE at Woolworth, how much his encouragement meant to me then, and how “guest playing” with Montage at Wilson College and on WPRB were “life moments” of my Princeton experience. Jerrauld told me then he was looking forward to attending his 50th in 2026. I kept this last phone greeting, “Hey, Burton, this is Jerrauld Jones calling from Norfolk ...” ♥

Indeed, Jerrauld’s life was a Blessing to all of us who were in his presence. Much Love to Jerrauld’s family and friends!