Dr. Beulah Agnes Curry-Jones - Native Austinite Beulah Agnes (nee Bonner) Curry-Jones was born in the early 1930’s during the Great Depression. She is an Austin Original. She grew up in the heart of East Austin as the only child of Leon Bonner, Sr. and Beulah Mabery Thompson (both deceased). She attended Austin Public Schools during the era of segregation and graduated Salutatorian - Class of 1949 from the Original L. C. Anderson High School (Pennsylvania Avenue location). She received her bachelor’s degree with honors in Music Education (Piano Principal) from Prairie View A and M College (now University), a master’s degree with honors in Music Education (Piano and Voice Principals) from Texas Southern University and a Doctorate (Dean’s List) in Education (Music Education) from The University of Houston – University Park.
Her interest in music began as a child with encouragement and support from her parents. She was further encouraged by the church, the community, and the public schools. As a result, these efforts bolstered her career as a music educator in three public school districts (Crosby, Del Valle, and Austin) for 15 years, adjunct professor for The University of Houston, Texas Teacher Certification Testing Program Advisory Committee – Texas Education Agency, part-time music instructor for the Gary Job Corps Center (San Marcos), and as Marcet Hines King Music Professor Emerita and Fine Arts Department Chair for Huston-Tillotson College (now University) totaling 31 years. She also did two tours of Europe (Library Music Research Project - eight countries and the American Institute of Musical Studies Fellowship (Graz, Austria).
As a music educator, Dr. Curry-Jones mentored many students. Some include: Ms. Carmen Bradford –Singer for the Count Basie Orchestra, Mr. Nolan Smith - Writer/arranger for Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder, Mr. Louie Carrington – Singer/Musician, the Rev. Dr. Jimmy Hunter- Pastor for Tolliver Chapel Baptist Church (Waco), Ms. Judy Arnold Hunter – Singer/Actress, Ms. Claudia D. Williams – Music Ministry Director for St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Mr. Jay Tillman – composer/musician who performed for the Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican (Rome, Italy) December 2025, Ms. Lisa Alexander Jenkins – Singer, Composer, and Directress, the late Mr. Tim Curry – Singer/Actor, and the late Ms. Jo Carroll Moffett – Gospel Singer.
Music is in her blood. Dr. Curry-Jones has shared her gifts in the sacred and secular arenas in the Greater Austin area. She is a life-long and faithful member of Ebenezer Baptist Church where she served as Minister of Music, Interim Director, pianist, organist, and musician assistant to the Ministers of Music. Her other roles encompassed organizer and directress of the Chancel Choir (which later supplemented the Sanctuary Choir) and has served in the Music Ministry from her youth. Other musician assignments include: Wesley United Methodist Church – Austin, Texas, St. Peter’s United Methodist Church – Austin, Texas, and St. Martin De Porres Catholic (Barrett Station) – Crosby, Texas.
In the late 1970’s, she and her late husband Mr. Jimmie L. Jones founded The Sophisti-Cats, an all-occasion combo. Genres included: popular tunes, jazz, classical, anthems, hymns, etc. She served as vocalist and played piano and her husband played electric guitar, piano, and clarinet. The band featured the late James Hamilton – drums, James Franklin – acoustic bass, Gilbert Ramirez – guitar, and other intermittent musicians including: Bruce Radek, George Florence, Whaley Grice, James Fenner, and Tim Pickard. In the 1980’s, she and her husband participated in a piano recording for KUT-FM with the late radio host John Aielli.
One of the highlights of her music career was singing the Texas State Song “Texas, Our Texas” for Prince Charles of Wales (now King Charles III of Wales) on the Texas State Capitol front steps on February 20, 1986 for the Sesquicentennial Celebration. She also collaborated and played for/with Richard ‘Cactus’ Pryor, Willie Nelson, Geneva Taylor Rawlins, Dr. James Polk, Gene Ramey, Elizabeth Pearson Harris, Harold McMillan, Margaret Pearson Wright, Ernest Mae Miller, Yvetta Young Turner, Louie Carrington, the Huston-Tillotson Jazz Blues Scholarship Fundraiser, clinician for the Gospel Music Workshop of America (Austin Chapter), the Austin Civic Chorus, Wink Tyler Recording for St. Peter’s United Methodist Church at Camp Mabry, the Conley -Guerrero Senior Activity Center Choir and special events, and many others.
Her mentors included: Opera singer Mattiewilda Dobbs, Mrs. Virgie Carrington DeWitty, Voice coach Mr. Orville White, Professor Ella Cullins, Dr. Charles Rhinehart, Dr. John T. King, Dr. Marvin G. Kimbrough, Mrs. Geneva Taylor Rawlins, Ms. Ernest Mae Miller, Ms. Yvetta Young Turner, Professor Gilbert Allen, Mr. Gene Gibret, Mrs. Jeffrey Lott King. Mrs. Thelma Calhoun, and Mrs. E. D. Taylor (all deceased).
Her accolades and honors include: 2024 Lifetime Achievement Cultural Icon Award by the East Austin Creative Collective (Music, Education, and Community Service), President's Volunteer Service Award (Lifetime Achievement) during President Joseph Biden’s Administration along with others, 2015 Woman of the Year Award – Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2012 Arts Recipient - Original L. C. Anderson High School Alumni Association, 2014 Founder’s Award – NWOA, Inc - Austin Metroplex Chapter, 2003 Dr. Lamar Kirven Lifetime Achievement Award from the TAAHO (Texas African-American Historical Organization), 1992 President’s Award for Outstanding Service and Piper Nominee from Huston -Tillotson University, 1988 Entertainment of the Year – Black Legislative Caucus, 1987 Distinguished Alumnus Award by Prairie View University Fine Arts Department, 1986 Sang for the Prince of Wales at the Texas State Capitol, the Martin L. King, Jr. Humanitarian Award, Living Legend Award by The Villager Newspaper, and many others.
Community work and civic engagement include: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (Life Member), Austin Arts Commission - former member, National Women of Achievement, Inc. – Austin Metroplex Chapter (cofounder, charter member, president, vice-president, co-chair of Profiles of Prominence and Life Member), Capital City Chapter – Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) – Life member, DouglassClub, National Council of Negro Women – Austin Section, volunteer accompanist/vocalist and vice president – Conley-Guerrero Guild (Senior Activity Center), Interview resource on East Austin history, music, culture, and contributions (local media and universities), volunteer musician, vocalist and workshop clinician in the community of faith and the Greater Austin community, Texas Music Museum - Board of Directors Emeritus, the Ballet Austin Board of Directors, and Women and Their Work.