Known for movies

Short Info

DiedSeptember 3, 1985, New York City, New York, United States
FactInducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 1990.


Jo Jones was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 7, 1911. His parents were John and Mattie Jones. He had two brothers, John Jr. and George. His early education was in the Chicago public schools. He began playing drums in high school and soon became proficient. He played in local clubs and dance bands while still in his teens.

In 1929, he moved to New York City and began playing with various small groups. He soon made a name for himself and began working with some of the top names in jazz, including Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, and Ben Webster. He became a member of Count Basie’s band in 1934 and remained with him for over 20 years. He was one of the most recorded drummers of his era and appeared on hundreds of recordings.

Jones was known for his light touch and his ability to swing a band. He was also known for his showmanship, which included playing with his hands and using drumsticks that were unusually long for him. He appeared in several films, including “The Benny Goodman Story” (1956) and “Jazz on a Summer’s Day” (1960).

Jones continued to play until shortly before his death from cancer on September 3, 1985, in New York City. He was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1965 and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.

General Info

Full NameJo Jones
DiedSeptember 3, 1985, New York City, New York, United States
Weight93 kg
ProfessionActor, Drummer, Musician, It Was a Verry Good Year, Hay Burner, Jumpin' at the Woodside
NationalityAmerican

Accomplishments

Music GroupsCount Basie Orchestra, Kansas City Six, Oklahoma City Blue Devils, It Was a Verry Good Year, Hay Burner, Jumpin' at the Woodside
MoviesJazz Icons: Ella Fitzgerald: Live in '57 & '63

Social profile links

Facts

#Fact
1Inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 1990.
2Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1990.
3Jazz drummer.

Movies

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Love Crimes1992Jazz Quartet
Sinatra1992TV Mini-SeriesA.D.
Jazz Is Our Religion1972voice
Route 661961TV SeriesLover Brown - The Memphis Naturals
Stormy Weather1943Drummer (uncredited)
Policy Man1938

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Independent Lens2005TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Any Way the Wind Blows2003writer: "Me and You Blues"

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Last of the Blue Devils1979DocumentaryHimself
Le grand échiquier1974TV SeriesHimself
Jazz on a Summer's Day1959DocumentaryHimself
Timex All-Star Jazz Show1959TV SeriesHimself
The Seven Lively Arts1957TV SeriesHimself - Drummer with Red Allen / Himself - Drummer with Count Basie
The Nat King Cole Show1957TV SeriesHimself - Durmmer
Jammin' the Blues1944ShortHimself - on Drums (as Joe Jones)

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
A Great Day in Harlem1994DocumentaryHimself (uncredited)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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