birthday but in that time he established himself as one of the finest
piano players in Chicago. Best know for his rock steady accompaniment in
Elmore James’ band he also backed just about everyone else worth
mentioning on the Chicago scene. The handful of times he stepped in
front as leader produced a number of excellent sides and more than a few
classics.
Jones blew into the windy city from
Mississippi in 1946 and already new his way around the 88’s. He was
first influenced by Big Maceo and followed him into Tampa Red’s group
in 1947 after Maceo was stricken by a stroke. He even helped play
right hand for the elder man on a few tunes. Jones quickly hooked up
with Tampa playing piano behind him for RCA Victor between 1949-1953. In
addition to his piano duties he also helped out vocally even singing
lead on Tampa's 1951 version of
"Early in the Morning." Jones also played the
clubs with Tampa often working at the Peacock and C&T clubs.
During this period Jones also played piano
behind Muddy Waters on a 1949 Aristocrat (soon to become Chess) session
resulting in the tracks: “Screamin' and Cryin", "Where's My
Woman Been" and "Last Time I Fool Around With You." At
the tail end of this session Jones cut his lone 78 for the label
"Shelby County Blues" b/w "Big Town Playboy” with Muddy
Waters, Baby Face Leroy and Jimmy Rogers backing him up on both sides.
His
most famous association began in 1952 when he became the pianist for
Elmore James and His Broomdusters. He remained with James through 1956
playing on classic recordings for the Bihari brothers’ Meteor, Flair
and Modern labels as well as dates for Checker, Chief and Fire. The
Broomdusters (with saxist
J.T. Brown and drummer Odie Payne) held court on the West Side playing
at Sylvio’s for five years. It was this association with James that
resulted in his second stint as leader recording in 1953 for Flair.
"I May Be Wrong" and "Sweet Little Woman" were
issued as Johnny Jones and the Chicago Hound Dogs with backing from
Elmore James and J.T. Brown.
Jones last official stint as leader came in 1953
when Atlantic Records came through Chicago and teamed Elmore and the
Broomdusters behind Big Joe Turner resulting in the classic “TV
Mama.” Once again he recorded a couple of sides at the tail end of a
session resulting in four songs: "Chicago Blues”, “Hoy Hoy”,
“Wait Baby” and “Doin' the Best I Can (Up the line).” Jones was
backed by the full Broomdusters plus Ransom Knowling on bass.
Jones wasn’t caught on tape again until
1963 where he was working with Billy Boy Arnold in a Chicago folk club
called the Fickle Pickle run by Michael Bloomfield. Norman Dayron
recorded Johnny on portable equipment which has been released on the
Alligator record titled Johnny Jones with Billy Boy Arnold .
Jones last session was
recorded in 1964 and is something of a mystery. Possibly backed by Boyd
Atkins on sax and Lee Jackson guitar he cut three songs: "Prison
Bound Blues", "Don't You Lie to Me" and "I Get
Evil" the last being unissued.
Görgen Antonsson speculates that these may have been
unissued
Bea & Baby recordings. "Prison
Bound Blues" b/w "Don't You Lie to Me" was subsequently
issued on Rooster as a 45.
Johnny Jones died from lung
cancer in 1964 leaving a huge space on the Chicago scene.
Mike Leadbitter wrote at the
time of
Jones death, "In a
Chicago full
of guitarists and with comparatively few top-rate pianists, the death of
Little Johnny Jones is a great loss, as it is to us, who
were never
really given a chance to appreciate him."
Essential Listening
Johnny Jones recorded only a handful of sides under his own name and
unfortunately these are scattered over various records.
Görgen Antonsson was kind enough to provide me with complete discographical
information about the
sides Jones cut under his own name (click
here for the list).
Below is a list of where you can find
