Shéron Lafaye Jones, The 21st Century's Godmother Of Soul
Renowned soul, R&B and funk singer, Shéron Lafaye Jones was arguably the most famous internationally-known person of any kind to come out of the Augusta, Georgia area except for The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown himself. With NPR Music dubbing Jones, “The 21st Century's Godmother Of Soul.” Jones moved to New York with her mother when she was a young child and as children, she and her brothers would often imitate the singing and dancing of Mr. Brown.
Later in life, Brown would once again mark Jones’ direction as she released Dap Dippin’ with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings in 2002. The band was breathing new life in to the old-school funk and soul movement. “I got my band and record deal because of James Brown. The guys were looking for that James Brown groove, and I got in there and did it. It all came so naturally to me because James Brown had been such a big inspiration to me,” Jones told me in 2015.
“James Brown has influenced my life in so many ways. When I was a little girl, my brother Henry was doing a skit imitating James Brown in Augusta. Mr. Brown walked in, got on stage, and started dancing. While watching Mr. Brown dance, I turned to look at my Dad and said, “Look Dad! He is floating.” It was magical. It did not look like his feet were even touching the ground. Those are the things that has helped guide my life.”
Brown’s songs continued to guide Jones throughout her life as she faced racial ridicule for being a dark skinned female in the 60s. Jones said, “When James Brown came out with “Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud,” I was able to say, “I am a black woman and I am proud of it too.” Brown had a huge impact on my self esteem and being able to look at my own reflection in the mirror.”
Jones took that pride and her talent and performed music, but to find success, she had to leave Augusta, Brooklyn and the US to do it. After spending decades in obscurity, Jones went abroad and it didn't take long to find out how much rhythm and blues fans loved the recordings she and her band The Dap Kings were doing on vinyl records and CDs Then she brought that energy and notoriety from abroad back to the States and built off that momentum and sustained a successful career.
Jones experienced breakthrough success relatively late in life,releasing her first record when she was 40 years old. In 2014, Jones was nominated for her first Grammy in the category Best R&B Album for Give the People What They Want.
Jones relocated to the Augusta area with family for the last few years of her life as she publicly and courageously fought cancer with every ounce of energy in her. She still continued to honor Mr. Brown’s influence and legacy and made many show stoping, electric-high energy performances for James Brown Birthday Bash the last few years of her life, often using the stage as her therapy. She spent her last two May 4th birthdays in the area and gave so much of herself to help other musicians and groups in the community like the James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils students, University Hospital breast cancer awareness programs, Augusta Museum of History, North Augusta Arts and Heritage Center and on and on and on.
After fulfilling her dreams of finally being recognized by the music industry, Mrs. Jones passed on Nov. 18, 2016 at age 60 in New York.
