Johnny Jones
In 40 short years on earth, Johnny Jones established himself as one of the greatest piano players ever to inhabit the Chicago blues scene. Best known for his rock-solid accompaniment to slide guitarist Elmore James both in the studio and as an onstage member of James' Broomdusters, "Little Johnny" also waxed a handful of terrific sides as a leader.
Jones arrived in Chicago from Mississippi in 1946 well-versed on the 88s. Influenced greatly by pianist Big Maceo Merriwether, Jones followed him into Tampa Red's band in 1947 after Maceo suffered a stroke. Johnny Jones's talents were soon in demand as a sideman -- in addition to rolling the ivories behind Tampa Red for RCA Victor from 1949 to 1953, he backed Muddy Waters on his 1949 classic "Screamin' and Cryin'" and later appeared on sides by Howlin' Wolf.
But it's Elmore James that he'll forever be associated with; the indispensable pianist played on James's halcyon 1952-56 Chicago sessions for the Bihari brothers' Meteor, Flair, and Modern logos, as well as dates for Checker, Chief, and Fire. The Broomdusters (rounded out by saxist J.T. Brown and drummer Odie Payne, Jr.) held down a regular berth at the West Side blues club Sylvio's for five years.
When he got the chance to sit behind a microphone, Jones's insinuating vocal delivery was equally enthralling. Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, and Leroy Foster backed Jones on his 1949 Aristocrat label classic "Big Town Playboy" (later revived by Eddie Taylor, another unsung Chicago hero), while Elmore James and saxist J.T. Brown were on hand for Jones's 1953 Flair coupling "I May Be Wrong"/"Sweet Little Woman" (the latter a wonderfully risqué "dozens" number). The rocking "Hoy Hoy," his last commercial single, was done in 1953 for Atlantic and also featured James and his group in support. Jones continued to work in the clubs (with Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Syl Johnson, Billy Boy Arnold, and Magic Sam, among others) prior to his 1964 death of lung cancer.
Ironically, Jones was reportedly the first cousin of another Chicago piano great, Otis Spann.
© Bill Dahl /TiVo
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Discography
19 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Johnny Jones with Billy Boy Arnold
Blues - Released by Alligator Records on 1 jan. 1979
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Doin' the Best I Can
Blues - Released by JSP Records on 23 nov. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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In the House - Live at Lucerne Vol.2
Blues - Released by CrossCut Records on 4 sep. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Stimulus Package
Country - Released by Singing Crow Records on 25 apr. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Strung out / Fingerlickin'
Soul - Released by Hollywood Records on 31 jan. 1967
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Bluegrass Hits
Johnny Jones, Gerald Heaton, The Georgia Mountain Boys
Country - Released by Good Time Records on 26 jan. 1974
24-Bit 88.2 kHz - Stereo -
Two Kids And A Guitar
Jazz - Released by CoolNote on 1 jan. 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Hello, I'm Johnny Jones
Pop - Released by Singing Crow Records on 14 okt. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mowing Grass While Dressed Up In A Suit
Country - Released by Singing Crow Records on 1 jan. 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Stimulus Package
Country - Released by Singing Crow Records on 6 okt. 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Someday Things Are Gonna Get Better
Country - Released by Johnny Jones on 25 jul. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Reason For It All
Country - Released by Singing Crow Records on 5 okt. 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Nashville Session 2017
Country - Released by Johnny Jones on 23 aug. 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -