Jo Jones

about

Jo Jones (October 7, 1911 – September 3, 1985) was an American jazz drummer. Known as Papa Jo Jones in his later years, he was sometimes confused with another influential jazz drummer, Philly Joe Jones. The two died only a few days apart. Born Jonathan David Samuel Jones in Chicago, Illinois, he moved to Alabama where he learned to play several instruments, including saxophone, piano, and drums. He worked as a drummer and tap-dancer at carnival shows until joining Walter Page's band, the Blue Devils in Oklahoma City in the late 1920s. He recorded with trumpeter Lloyd Hunter's Serenaders in 1931, and later joined pianist Count Basie's band in 1934. Jones, Basie, guitarist Freddie Green and bassist Walter Page were sometimes billed as an 'all-American Rhythm section'. Jones took a brief break for two years when he was in the military, but he remained with Basie until 1948. He participated in the Jazz at the Philharmonic concert series. He was one of the first drummers to promote the use of brushes on drums and shifting the role of timekeeping from the bass drum to the hi-hat cymbal. Jones had a major influence on later drummers such as Buddy Rich, Kenny Clarke, Roy Haynes, Max Roach, and Louie Bellson. He also starred in several films, most notably the musical short Jammin' the Blues (1944). Jones performed regularly in later years at the West End jazz club at 116th and Broadway in New York City. These performances were generally very well attended by other drummers such as M

top songs

albums

The Everest Years: Jo Jones

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The Everest Years (Expanded)

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Music For Mad Men - Swingin' Jazz

The Essential

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100 Gold Jazz Hits

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The Everest Years

Jo Jones Trio (Digitally Remastered)

The Jo Jones Special

Essential Jazz Masters

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They Can't Take That Away from Me

Smiles (1969-1975) [The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions]

Percussion and Bass

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