Maxine Jones
MAXINE JONES BIOGRAPHY
Maxine Jones is known all over the world as one of the four “Funky Divas” in the triple platinum singing group EnVogue. One of the music industries best selling female groups, Maxine Jones, and En Vogue took music by storm with their sexy style, unmatched harmony, and funky rhythms. Her distinct looks and smoky voice was played an intricate part in the success of the group and will grasp a new generation of music lovers with her upcoming solo and collaborative projects.
Born in Paterson, NJ, Maxine and her five siblings grew up singing in the church like her fathers side of the family. At a young age she lost her mother and eventually moved with the family to Oakland, CA. After the death of her mother, her father could not control her thick hair which led her to attempt to style it herself. She quickly discovered that not only was she skilled at braiding, but it aroused a love of hair styling that persists to this day. Along with her bass harmony, Maxine’s first love and ongoing passion is for braiding intricate hair styles, and she in fact supported herself many years serving a long list of clients in the Oakland area. During this time she honed her musical skills singing five nights a week for groups in the San Francisco Bay area while working days at the Ritz Hair Salon. Her interest in singing led to an audition for En Vogue. Her strong, smooth vocals made the cut and the group’s first CD debuted in the spring of 1990. With En Vogue’s astounding smash arrival, Jones’ styling career was set on the back burner.
The group’s first two albums, Born to Sing and Funky Divas, went gold and multi platinum, launching the Girl Group into a recording and touring schedule that kept them busy for five years. Followed by a two year break from 1995 to 1997, during which Maxine gave birth to her daughter Jessica Maia. She also reinvigorated her interest in the beauty business, opening the M&R Trading’s Bath Body & Soul. A specialty store in Novato, CA that specializes in fine European and domestic soaps, skin care products, bath & body accessories, medicinal herbs and extracts.
Maxine is also a skilled sculptor and graphic designer. She relaxes by making black dolls and renovating her home. Her love for decorating, home renovations, art & crafts, cooking and entertaining is what you will find her doing when she is not recording music. She and her three older sisters were taught window dressing, upholstering, decorating in general and home entertaining from their mother who worked as a domestic worker. Her love for art’s and craft was handed down by her sister Patricia who was an artist, interior decorator and professional chef before she passed away from cancer in 2006.
Right now Maxine’s focus is on reinventing herself and starting a new chapter in her successful career in entertainment. With a solo project on the horizon, reality show, and exciting musical collaborations in the works, the best of Maxine Jones has yet to be seen.