Jazz duo Double J is comprised of guitarist Jimmy Alston and his nephew, guitarist Jerry Alston.
Jimmy is a native of Louisburg. He’s the youngest son of 17 children whose father and mother were ministers.
He has been playing lead guitar, bass guitar and keyboard for over 40 years and has shared the stage with such notable black gospel artists as Slim and the Supreme Angels, The Nightingales, Little Cedric and The Hailey Singers (who later became known as KC and JoJo of the R&B group Jodeci), and many more. Jimmy is also a visual artist. His studio, Jalston’s of Salisbury, is located at Rail Walk Studios and Gallery at 409 N. Lee St. in Salisbury. He plays jazz at Rail Walk every third Wednesday evening, 7-9 p.m.
Jerry Alston is also a native of Louisburg, and a current resident. He grew up playing drums with the family’s gospel singing group, The Alston Brothers of Louisburg.
Jerry is a versatile musician, playing lead as well as bass guitar, keyboard anddrums, as well as composing, writing and producing music.
He has composed and produced albums for other area gospel artists and has shared the stage with very notable gospel singers such as Marvin Sapp, Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, The Canton Spirituals, Lee Williams and others.
The duo will be performing Friday in support of their new album, “Music for the Soul.” All music on the CD was written, and produced by Jimmy and Jerry Alston with the exception of the song “No More This,” written by Jimmy’s wife, Lesley Alston, who will be joining them on stage Friday.
Double J Productions categorizes this album as “a mixture of inspirational and uplifting smooth jazz that puts your mind and soul in a mellow mood.”
They say that with the album they hope to “create music that will be enjoyed by everyone, crossing all generational lines to make people just feel good.”
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Double J will be performing 8-10 p.m. Friday at the Looking Glass Artist Collective theater, 407 N. Lee St.
The opening act will feature E.W.Harris.
Admission is $10 at the door (Looking Glass members are $5).