Episode Details

Shaolin Jazz co-founder DJ 2-Tone Jones—one half of the duo behind the genre-bending brand—returns to reflect on growth, alignment, and his continued love for blending film and music through Can I Kick It?

• Finding purpose through Shaolin Jazz: how re-scoring films with hip-hop and jazz gave his DJ career renewed meaning
• Can I Kick It?: building a national, live-scoring experience that fuses cult classic cinema with original DJ sets
• Mastering live scoring: learning to let films “breathe” and why restraint can elevate storytelling
• Creative partnerships that last: why the right venue, audience, and mission fit matter more than numbers
• Lessons from 160+ screenings: evolving from DIY setups to long-term residencies and curatorial refinement
• Niche as power: how a focused creative identity built deeper impact, loyalty, and community across cities

Check out Shaolin Jazz's and DJ 2-Tone Jones’ first appearance on the podcast — recorded in 2020 — here.

 Join DJ 2-Tone Jones this Saturday at Creative Alliance for Can I Kick It?, featuring Monkey Man—an adrenaline-fueled Indian revenge thriller re-scored live with hip-hop, soul, and cinematic beats. 🎧🎥
Doors at 7PM, film starts at 7:30. Grab your tickets now: creativealliance.org/event/can-i-kick-it-monkey-man

This episode was recorded during a season dedicated to creative growth, transformation, and honoring the foundations that helped build Baltimore’s culture.

The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). 

Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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