“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures…Music cleanses the understanding; inspires it, and lifts it into a realm which it would not reach if it were left to itself.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

“I do it for the love,” or so some would say. But how many really do “it” for the love of the music? Do it because they can’t imagine doing anything else, or because they remember how Whitney Houston made them feel? Rhetorical questions can be asked plenty, but meet Columbus, Ohio’s Tomi Jones, an artist who DOES do it for the love of the music. Tomi admires that feeling of really connecting with the singer. When you listen to her music, she wants to capture the audience so that you “understand what she was going through.” She works for you to feel how she felt when she heard Whitney, George Michael, or her idols, Michael Jackson and Celine Dione. Feel her and respect her as a vocalist and songwriter.

Since a high school talent show that provided the motivation to take her talents seriously, Tomi has spent the past 9 years on a journey filled with highs and lows, to bring you the artist she is today. She’s confident she has what it takes, and likes to say, “just rock with me”. The journey to create her brand of music has already taken her into the studio with some of the best, including Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Patti Labelle, Michael Jackson), James Fauntleroy (Jordin Sparks, Rihanna, Beyonce), Adonis Shropshire (Usher, Mariah Carey), Bryan Michael Cox (Usher, Mary J. Blige, Janet Jackson, Aaliyah), Rock City (Jennifer Hudson, PCD, Leona Lewis), Young Yonny (Trey Songz) and a host of others enthusiastic to collaborate with the budding new artist. Some of her go to collaborators include Kadis & Sean, Oak, Co-Stars, Fredo Odesjo, and close friend, Tyrice Jones. She brings you the track “Shotgun,” produced by Ralph Stacy, which she shares is out of the box and very risky. “I’m saying I’d rather you love me, hurt me, than leave me. Loving you is like a blast from a shotgun.” The song sincerely reflects on being hurt by love, and seeks to evoke a reaction in the listener.

One of the defining traits of a singer is how well they convey their depth. Tomi effortlessly prevents any non-believers on the semi-autobiographical “Fight Again,” co-written and produced with Tyrice Jones, where Tomi allows you to connect with her on a very vulnerable level. The vocalist cracks the door open and let’s you take a peek into her soul as she reflects on where she came from, the relationship with her mother, forgiveness and being pushed to that next level in pursuing her dream.

Her journey has kept her humble and focused on her craft so that people will love her for her music and see her passion. Fame and fortune will come along but she’s not pressed for it. “When all is said and done, I hope my work is appreciated…that people know I stayed true to myself and say I was good at what I did.”