Edward “Kidd” Jordan, a saxophonist, was born in Crowley, Louisiana, May 5, 1935. He received a music degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge. In 1974, he moved to New Orleans and began teaching at Southern University. Jordan earned a master’s degree at Millikin University in Decatur (Illinois), and then continued his studies at Northwestern … Read more
Thad Jones, a harmonically gifted trumpeter/cornetist, formed a large band with Mel Lewis in February 1966 that played Monday nights at Village Vanguard. The orchestra, although it was only a small part of Jones’s life, became well-known and Jones had a place to express himself. One of his songs, “A Child Is Born”, was composed … Read more
Samuel Jones was a jazz cellist, double bassist, and composer. He lived from 12 November 1924 to 15 December 1981. Sam Jones was born in Jacksonville FL. He moved to New York in 1955. Jones was a member of the Tiny Bradshaw, Les Jazz Modes and Kenny Dorham bands. He also played with Freddie Hubbard … Read more
Kazimierz Jonkisz was a Polish citizen who was born in 1948 in Wilamowice. Kazimierz Jonkisz began his musical education at age 10 by learning accordion at a local high-school. He switched to drums at the Bielsko Biala music high school later. At the age of 18 he made his debut in jazz, winning the Jazz … Read more
Born in Seoul, Korea, Joonsam started playing the electric bass when he was nineteen. After being exposed to Jaco Pastorious, he switched to an acoustic instrument two years later. He was influenced by Ray Brown and Paul Chambers and Christian McBride. Yeong-Seok Seong, a classical bassist in the Seoul National Symphony Orchestra, taught him and … Read more
Elvin Ray Jones, September 9, 1927 – May 18, 2004, was a jazz drummer. Elvin started playing professionally in the 1940s. He was part of the Army Special Services program Operation Happiness. In 1949, he had a brief gig at Detroit’s Grand River Street Club. He went on to perform with Miles Davis and Charlie … Read more
Etta Jones, born November 25, 1928 and died October 16, 2001 in New York City. She was an American jazz singer who achieved critical success but was not a mainstream star. Her elegant interpretations of blues, ballads and standards are what make her stand out. Sometimes her distinctive inflections have led to comparisons with Ella … Read more
Henry “Hank” Jones, born July 31, 1918, and died May 16, 2010. He was a jazz pianist who was raised in Pontiac (Michigan), where he learned piano from an early age. He also received the guidance of Teddy Wilson, Fats Waller and Art Tatum. Jones began performing in Michigan and Ohio at the age of … Read more
Hilary Jones, a Baltimore native, began professionally playing the drums at age 16. After graduating from the Baltimore School for the Arts, Hilary Jones joined the U.S. Navy Band. She enlisted at the Armed Forces School of Music for six months. There she graduated with distinction. She performed in almost every type of music, from … Read more
Jean Claude Jones was born and raised in Sfax, Tunisia. He moved to France when he was a child. He learned to play both lead and bass guitar as a teenager. He began his career in jazz and pop music at the age of 17. He moved to the USA in 1978 and pursued music … Read more
