Philly Joe Jones

Philly Joe Jones
Philly Joe Jones
	Jones in 1960
Background information
Birth name	Joseph Rudolph Jones
Born	July 15, 1923; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	August 30, 1985 (aged 62); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres	Jazz; hard bop; bebop; cool jazz; modal;
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instrument(s)	Drums
Years active	1940s–1985

Joseph Rudolph "Philly Joe" Jones (July 15, 1923 – August 30, 1985) was an American jazz drummer.^[1]

Biography edit

Early career edit

As a child, Jones appeared as a featured tap dancer on The Kiddie Show on the Philadelphia radio station WIP.^[2] He was in the US Army during World War II.^[2]

In 1947 he became the house drummer at Café Society in New York City, where he played with the leading bebop players of the day, including Tadd Dameron. From 1955 to 1958, Jones toured and recorded with Miles Davis Quintet — a band that became known as "The Quintet" (along with Red Garland on piano, John Coltrane on sax, and Paul Chambers on bass).^[3] Davis acknowledged that Jones was his favorite drummer,^[3] and stated in his autobiography that he would always listen for Jones in other drummers.

From 1958, Jones worked as a leader, but continued to work as a sideman with other musicians, including Bill Evans and Hank Mobley. Evans, like Davis, also openly stated that Jones was his all-time favorite drummer.

Europe edit

Jones in a 1964 Gretsch advertisement

Between late 1967 and 1972 Jones lived in London and Paris,^[4] performing and recording with musicians including Archie Shepp, Mal Waldron and Hank Mobley.^[5] For two years (1967–69) Jones taught at a specially organized school in Hampstead, London, but was prevented from otherwise working in the UK by the Musicians' Union. His 1968 album Mo' Joe (also released as Trailways Express)^[6] was recorded in London with local musicians (including Peter King, Harold McNair, Chris Pyne, Kenny Wheeler and others).^[7]

Later years edit

Jones toured with Bill Evans in 1976 and 1978, recorded for Galaxy in 1977–79, and worked with Red Garland.^[1] From 1981, Jones helped to found the group Dameronia, dedicated to the music of the composer Tadd Dameron, and led it until his death from a heart attack in 1985.^[2]

Discography edit

As leader/co-leader edit

Recording date	Title / Co-leader	Label	Year released	Notes
1958-09-17	Blues for Dracula	Riverside	1958
1959-05-04, -11, -28	Drums Around the World	Riverside	1959
1959-11-17, -18	Showcase	Riverside	1959
1960-05-20	Philly Joe's Beat	Atlantic	1960
1961-02-02	Together! with Elvin Jones	Atlantic	1961
1968-10-01, -31	Trailways Express also released as Mo Joe and Gone, Gone, Gone	Black Lion	1971
1969-01-31, 1969-03-01	Philly Joe Jones Avec Jef Gilson Et Son Ensemble with the Jef Gilson Ensemble	Disques Vogue	1969
1969-07-18	Round Midnight	Lotus	1980	Live
1969-11-29, -30, 1969-12-01	Archie Shepp & Philly Joe Jones with Archie Shepp	America	1969
1977-04-06, -07	Mean What You Say	Sonet	1977
1977-11-29, -30, 1977-12-01	Philly Mignon	Galaxy	1978
1978-10-10 – -12	Drum Song	Galaxy	1985
1978-10-10 – -12	Advance!	Galaxy	1979
1981-06-19	Filet de Sole	Marge	1992	Philly Joe Jones Octet
1982-06-28	To Tadd with Love	Uptown	1982	Philly Joe Jones Dameronia
1983-07-11	Look Stop Listen	Uptown	1983	Philly Joe Jones Dameronia featuring Johnny Griffin