Herman Jones My Funk Brother R&B Band from Bloomington, MN

Herman Jones My Funk Brother: Keeping the Twin Cities Groove Alive Herman Jones doesn’t just perform funk—he carries the history of Twin Cities music with him. A drummer, vocalist, songwriter, and longtime fixture of the local scene, Jones grew up in St. Paul’s Rondo Neighborhood surrounded by the sounds of Motown, R&B, soul, jazz, and blues. Those early influences became the foundation for a musical style that is equal parts groove and storytelling. After decades of performing with groups including the Exciters and Zulu, Jones stepped back from the stage before returning to live music in 2009. He soon formed Herman Jones My Funk Brother, bringing together seasoned musicians and a repertoire rooted in the sounds that shaped him. The group’s performances celebrate classic funk and soul while showcasing Jones’s own catalog, including “Party Charlie” and “I’ve Got a Hot Spot.” At the heart of My Funk Brother is Jones’s belief that music should bring people together. His career began during an era when racial segregation made it difficult for Black musicians to break into many Twin Cities venues, yet Jones and his peers helped build audiences that crossed racial lines. Today, that spirit remains central to his performances. My Funk Brother has become a familiar presence at Twin Cities festivals and community events, delivering an energetic mix of funk, soul, R&B, and Motown. For Jones, performing is also about passing something forward—sharing the music, stories, and lessons he learned from the musicians who came before him. After more than five decades behind the drums and microphone, Jones continues to play with the same enthusiasm that launched his career as a teenager. As he puts it: “No matter what, you don’t quit playing.”