Once a month, The Chronicle profiles people on campus who are doing interesting or important things. We’re always watching for faculty, staff and students with a story to tell. Here’s someone you should know.

Music professor and award-winning bluesman Fernando Jones has been recognized by a number of media outlets for his work as a musician and for his book, “I Was There When the Blues Was Red Hot.” Jones’ hobbies include cooking, fishing, painting and playing around on his Mac computer. He feels fortunate that his passion of music can be his profession as well as his hobby. The Chronicle talked with Jones about his work and his advice for aspiring musicians.

The Chronicle: You are a self-taught musician. When did you start playing?

Fernando Jones: I started playing when I was very young. I’m the baby of the family, and like most little brothers or little sisters, we want to be with and like our big brothers or sisters. Fortunately for me, my brothers were musicians. The physics of music—plugging in a guitar, strumming strings and a sound coming from out of an amplifier, as well as the music being projected itself—it just blew my mind. It was like a toy on a whole other level. It was an intriguing process just to watch these guys get together and start something, and by the time they finished it was what we called a song.  And it just bit me.

The Chronicle: What was it like growing up with a musical background?

FJ: I grew up on 60th Street and Michigan Avenue, and in my neighborhood, the arts were promoted and flourished. We had rock ’n’ roll, funk, soul and blues being played. Across the street from me, in the backyard of those apartments, my brothers would do jam sessions on some Saturdays in the summer. It was almost like a mini Woodstock in the neighborhood. And even as a child, I understood what they were doing and I was always amazed. In my backyard, we would play sports and sometimes they would do concerts there, so in my mind as a child that was like a stadium.

The Chronicle: Who would you say was your biggest influence?

FJ: Without a doubt, my brothers. They were everything. They were my heroes. There was a lack of black role models at the time, but in my family, I had everything. I just wanted to be like them. I did what they did, and I was fortunate that I picked up the good habits of music. They taught me not only about music, but how to survive, how to protect the music and how to share music. I think the biggest thrill I get out of being a musician is being able to share with my students, my fans, as well as being able to learn from my students and my fans.

The Chronicle: What is your favorite memory of playing music?

FJ: Most recently, when my students were down in the Mississippi delta. I’ve known most of them for three years; I’ve watched them grow—and that was beautiful getting to watch my students play, throw down and be flawless.  Another one would have to be when I was on the road one time back in 1999 and both my brothers and my nephew were playing in a concert at one time, and that has not happened since. It always brings a warm memory. I also miss being able to share my successes in real time with my mother, but she left a lot of memories to carry on.

The Chronicle: What is it like being a 2008 recipient of a Keeping the Blues Alive award?

FJ: You know, it’s not a birthright to receive the award, but I’m glad I got it. I feel that a lot of times when you receive an award, you earn it before you get it. Then you spend the rest of your lifetime showing that you’re worthy of it, and I hope that’s what I’m doing.

The Chronicle: You’re hosting a blues camp this summer. What are some more details?

FJ: It will be at Columbia from July 4 through July 9.  July 4 is a Sunday, so we’re going to have a big picnic for the kids and their parents.  And we have some activities during the week and then that Thursday [July 8], we’re going to have a festival at the South Shore Cultural Center. It’s gonna be a good time hanging out with the future of the blues. It’s kind of cute because the musicians are starting to fill out their audition forms and they’re getting younger and younger, so hopefully I can give them an opportunity being a part of the blues without having to go through a wild pledge period and maybe not getting into the fraternity.

The Chronicle: What do you try to bring to the table with your teaching?

FJ: I try to bring real-life experiences, honesty, being committed to the students when I have them and being committed after. I want them to have every advantage when they string up, suit up and play.

The Chronicle: What advice do you have for students?

FJ: You have to believe in yourself, but you have to be realistic enough. You have to be clothed in your right mind to the point that you know you either have a shot in this or you don’t. You have to think about people like Michael Jordan, who is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. He got cut in high school, now people are killin’ over his gym shoes. What if he would’ve given up? [Albert] Einstein failed math in high school. He didn’t give up and we know his name today. There’s even a bagel company named after him.