We recently had the chance to connect with Tones Collective LLC & Cortez Daniel Jr & Brian Jones Jr & Jules Antoine Jr. & Martez Stroud & Corie Daniel & Cornelius Daniel & Juwan Jackson and have shared our conversation below.
Tones Collective & Cortez & Brian & Jules & Martez & Corie & Cornelius & Juwan, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
We are proud of our Collective. We’ve quietly built a space where musicians and friends of musicians grow, collaborate, and invest their gifts in something bigger than us all. It’s our answer to the loneliness epidemic. We also organize intentional meetups and projects that help all people perform, create, and educate.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Tones Collective is a musician-led organization and band built on three pillars: live performance, music education, and composition. We blend soul, jazz, R&B, pop, and funk—improvising, switching instruments, and surprise a cappella moments so every show feels personal and unrepeatable. We teach music lessons, workshops, and professional development training to all ages (online and in person). We write original music that’s rooted in the community and guaranteed to bring a smile to the audience.
We’ve performed from Colorado to California to Georgia for partners like the Ritz-Carlton, Newton County, RMI, and at venues and events including Little Bear Saloon (Evergreen, CO)—where we also had the honor of opening for Mighty Mystic. In 2023, we served as educational partners with Clayton County Public Schools in Ga., creating music with and for local students. Our shows lead to repeat bookings because we don’t separate the classroom from the stage: our students see us perform, and our audiences see us teach.
Right now we’re composing new works, expanding our lesson studio (online and in-person), and cultivating community shows and jam nights in Georgia—while returning to Evergreen each summer to mentor young artists. In this Collective, we rise by lifting each other!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Bonds break when we stop being curious about each other and start filling the gaps with stories. Cortez says, “Assumptions turn people into extremes instead of humans.”
The slow erosion usually comes from everyday habits. “A lack of healthy communication, understanding, and compromise are factors I believe can and will destroy trust,” says Martez, our bass player.
We restore connection by choosing empathy and showing up with consistency—“healing starts with honest conversations, mutual accountability, and a shared desire to move forward,” says Jules, our lead horn player.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
We used to think friendship would be a shortcut to success. We launched with a tight, family-like crew and sheer determination, but learned we had to grow beyond our inner circle. Along the way, we lost close friends and partners, spent more than we made, and rebuilt from scratch. A friend’s father once told us, “business is business and friendship is friendship” and even that didn’t prove correct; in real life those lines blur. Success needs honest communication and a team built on shared values, not just shared history.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Learning music should be fun, and the power of music brings communities together. We have played at synagogues, Baptist churches, schools, bars, corporate parties and community events. We believe that music creates community, and community strengthens humanity. We invite everyone to the table, and everyone’s gifts cultivate a thriving Collective.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
There have definitely been moments when we’ve felt electrified by the projects we get to lead.
In our first year as a business, we led a workshop on post-graduation options at the Seaside High School Black Joy Festival. That experience felt like a waltz from the moment we hit the airport.
Another highlight was taking the Evergreen Children’s Chorale to the St. George Children’s Choir Festival in Utah. Creating memories with families and making music every day didn’t even feel like work.
Our connection with Rocky Mountain Institute has melded our community in Colorado with our hometown of Atlanta. We’re honored to perform for a global company each year—and it always feels like a party.
Our current residency at Anthony’s, a beloved pizza spot, makes us feel alive and turns the long trip to Riverdale into something enjoyable. The vibes we create in an establishment that’s been around longer than we’ve been alive are unforgettable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tonescollective.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonescollectivellc?igsh=MW12MmZrMXphajZqbg==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tones-collective-641085277
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15x6S7HYao/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tonescollectivellc?si=DAyj912yXyRcQqCw
Image Credits
Jules Antoine Jr.
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