Representative Albums: "Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1923-1927)," "Good Stuff," "Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1927-1936)"
Biography
The composer of "Trouble in Mind," Richard M. Jones' main significance to jazz was as the leader of an interesting series of recording dates. He played alto horn and cornet with the Eureka Brass Band as early as 1902 and worked as a pianist in New Orleans during 1908-1917. After playing with Oscar Celestin (1918), Jones moved to Chicago where he worked for Clarence Williams' publishing company. He recorded as a piano soloist in 1923, accompanied Blanche Calloway and Chippie Hill on record dates (1925-1926), and led his Jazz Wizards on sessions of his own during 1925-1929. Jones' sidemen included Albert Nicholas, Johnny St. Cyr, Ikey Robinson, Roy Palmer, Omer Simeon, and some lesser-known musicians. Richard M. Jones stayed in Chicago for the rest of his life, leading further sessions during 1935-1936 and 1944, and working as a talent scout for Mercury in the 1940s. All of his records as a leader have been reissued on two Classic CDs. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Jones grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jones suffered from a stiff leg and walked with a limp; fellow musicians gave him the nickname "Richard My Knee Jones" as a pun on his middle name. In his youth he played alto horn in brass bands. His main instrument, however, became the piano. By 1908 he was playing in Storyville, the red-light district of New Orleans. A few years later, he often led a small band which sometimes included Joe Oliver. Jones also worked in the bands of John Robichaux, Armand J. Piron, and Papa Celestin.
In 1918 Jones moved to Chicago. He worked as Chicago manager for publisher Clarence Williams. Jones began recording in 1923, making gramophone records as a piano soloist, accompanist to vocalists, and with his bands The Jazz Wizards and The Chicago Cosmopolitans. He recorded for Gennett, OKeh, Victor, and Paramount Records in the 1920s. He also worked for OKeh Records as Chicago supervisor of the company's "Race" (African-American) Records for most of the decade. In the 1930s he played a similar role for Decca.
Richard M. Jones worked for Mercury Records until his death.
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