Aled Jones: The Voice of Welsh Classical Crossover
Aled Jones is a Welsh singer and broadcaster whose career spans four decades, originating from his remarkable start as a boy soprano. From the island of Anglesey, he achieved international fame in the mid-1980s, with his signature song "Walking in the Air" becoming a perennial Christmas classic and his early albums selling millions of copies worldwide.
Early career
Aled Jones was born in 1970 in Llandegfan, Wales. His musical talent was evident early, and he joined the choir at Bangor Cathedral at age nine. His pure treble voice quickly gained attention, leading to his first record deal with the BBC's label, BBC Records, and the release of his debut album Diolch â Chân in 1983.
Breakthrough
The year 1985 marked Aled Jones's true breakthrough. His recording of "Walking in the Air", from the animated film The Snowman, was released as a single and climbed to number 5 on the UK Singles Chart. The accompanying album, Aled, reached number 1 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Platinum, cementing his status as a national phenomenon.
Key tracks
Walking in the Air — This timeless song from 'The Snowman' provided his commercial breakthrough and remains his most recognized recording.
Morning Has Broken — His version of this hymn showcased his clear vocal tone and became a staple on his best-selling albums.
Ave Maria — A demonstration of his classical repertoire and vocal control, frequently performed in his concerts.
You Raise Me Up — A key track from his successful adult career return, highlighting his matured baritone voice.
Later career and broadcasting
After his voice broke, Jones focused on education before returning to music as a baritone in the early 2000s, signing with Universal Music. He has since released numerous albums, including Aled Jones: The Christmas Album and One Voice, which debuted at number 6 on the UK charts. His 2006 collaboration with opera singer Lesley Garrett, Aled Jones & Lesley Garrett: Sacred Arias, was another commercial success. Parallel to singing, Jones has built a substantial career as a presenter for BBC Radio and television, notably on BBC Radio 3's Weekend on 3 and BBC One's Songs of Praise.
His versatility is further shown through stage roles in musicals like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Jones continues to record and perform, often blending classical, sacred, and popular music, a hallmark of the classical crossover genre. He has also collaborated with artists like Russell Watson and the choir Only Men Aloud, maintaining a consistent presence in the UK music scene.
Fans of Aled Jones's serene and powerful vocal style also enjoy the music of Katherine Jenkins, another leading Welsh classical crossover star. Russell Watson shares a similar journey in popularizing operatic-style music for mainstream audiences. The choral grandeur of Only Men Aloud reflects the strong Welsh choral tradition Jones emerged from. Listeners may also appreciate the sacred and classical repertoire of Andrea Bocelli, who operates in a similar musical sphere.
Aled Jones's music is a staple on many classic FM stations and dedicated choral music radio streams. His recordings, particularly his festive material, receive heavy rotation on specialist Christmas channels and family-friendly music stations every holiday season.
You can hear the music of Aled Jones across various radio stations featured on our website. Explore the onairium.com platform to discover radio stations playing his classic hits and newer recordings within the classical crossover genre.
