Navari Jones

Navari Deon "D'Boi" Jones (born c. 1983 in Bessemer; died February 26, 2022 in Birmingham) was a drummer who played with numerous gospel groups, as well as in secular bands.

Jones was the son of gospel singers George Franklin and Vanessa Jones Reed. He learned to play drums from his cousin, Gerald Peddigrew, who accompanied The Five Silver Queens gospel group, and his older brother, Maurice Caffee, who accompanied Mose Tanksley & the Spiritual Crusaders. When Caffee was serving in the armed forces, Jones took his place in the band.

Jones became the featured drummer at First Baptist Church Carver, accompanying organist Arthur Beard. He performed with numerous gospel choirs, including The Sounds of Birmingham, Revelation, DFC, Higher Standards, Elements of Worship, Prince Yelder, and the Birmingham Mass Choir. He also worked with national acts, including James Bignun, Kirk Franklin, Dottie Peoples, and Dorothy Norwood.

Jones played football at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond and studied music. After returning to Birmingham he performed with a variety of acts, including Just A Few Cats, Logan the Entertainer, Dani, Nadia Tellis, Deidra Geddis, Kabibi, Wilisha Washington, Jaya, Black and Mild, Alicia Mashell, and G Child.

Jones was also a member of the Sin City Motorcycle Club. He was found shot to death in a car which crashed on the 1700 block of 1st Avenue North near Birmingham Police Headquarters after a reported shooting at the Tru-Riders Motorcycle Club at 905 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard in Smithfield. Two females were also injured by gunfire at the club. Ernando Daron Dorsey was arrested in Calera in March and charged with murder, aggravated assault and domestic violence.

References

• Robinson, Carol (March 18, 2022) "44-year-old charged in deadly shooting at Birmingham motorcycle club, held on $1.6 million bond." The Birmingham News
• "Navari D" profile at soultonecymbals.com