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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Discografia
18 álbum(ns) • Ordenado por Mais vendidos
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Johnny Jones with Billy Boy Arnold
Blues - Lançado por Alligator Records em 01/01/1979
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Doin' the Best I Can
Blues - Lançado por JSP Records em 23/11/2015
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In the House - Live at Lucerne Vol.2
Blues - Lançado por CrossCut Records em 04/09/2009
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Live in Europe
Blues - Lançado por SnailWorx em 21/08/2012
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The Stimulus Package
Country - Lançado por Singing Crow Records em 25/04/2011
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Strung out / Fingerlickin'
Soul - Lançado por Hollywood Records em 31/01/1967
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Bluegrass Hits
Johnny Jones, Gerald Heaton, The Georgia Mountain Boys
Country - Lançado por Good Time Records em 26/01/1974
24-Bit 88.2 kHz - Stereo -
Two Kids And A Guitar
Jazz - Lançado por CoolNote em 01/01/2000
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Hello, I'm Johnny Jones
Pop - Lançado por Singing Crow Records em 14/10/2019
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Mowing Grass While Dressed Up In A Suit
Country - Lançado por Singing Crow Records em 01/01/2004
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Garden of Love
Gospel - Lançado por Johnny Jones em 01/01/2009
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The Stimulus Package
Country - Lançado por Singing Crow Records em 06/10/2010
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Someday Things Are Gonna Get Better
Country - Lançado por Johnny Jones em 25/07/2014
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The Reason For It All
Country - Lançado por Singing Crow Records em 05/10/2010
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Nashville Session 2017
Country - Lançado por Johnny Jones em 23/08/2017
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Back in December
Pop - Lançado por Johnny Jones em 26/08/2022
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