Papa Jo Jones
Photo: Dave Dexter Jr. Collection
Miller Nichols Library
Source: JD Drum School
Drummer, Papa Jo Jones, not to be confused with drummer, Philly Joe Jones, was known for his manner with brushes and shifting the role of time keeping from bass drum to the hi-hat cymbal. Like drummer, Big Sid Catlett, Jones was a veteran drummer whose career preceded and included swing yet was important in the transition to modern jazz. Born Jonathan David Samuel Jones on 7 October 1911 in Chicago, Illinois, Jones began his musical career as a drummer and tap dancer at carnival shows. He joined Walter Page's Blue Devils in the late twenties. A double bassist, Page was later described by Jones as a father to him, and would be a major figure in Jones' career into the latter fifties, clearing much the same trail together while backing various enterprises like the Count Basie Orchestra. Page would eventually support Jone's first album in August of 1955, 'The Jo Jones Special', with Basie and Nat Pierce contributing piano. Their last recordings together may have been on October 18, 1957, backing Paul Quinichette's 'For Basie'. Please note that this page will not descend in customary chronological order. It procees, instead, via major figures with whom Jones performed, examples of which might be drawn from any time that they played together.
'Embraceable You' Papa Jo Jones (drums) w Walter Page (double bass)
Recorded 11 Aug 1955
From Jo Jones' first album: 'The Jo Jones Special' on Vanguard VRS-8503
Trumpet: Emmet Berry Trombone: Benny Green
Tenor sax: Lucky Thompson Piano: Nat Pierce Guitar: Freddie Green
Composition: Gershwin Brothers 1928
For Jones' first recordings we return to April 2, 1931, as a member of Lloyd Hunter's Serenaders (Hunter's only recordings): 'Sensational Mood' (instrumental) and ''Dreaming 'Bout My Man' (backing Victoria Spivey). The major boost to Jone's career was hooking up with Basie in 1934, Basie to form his first orchestra the next year. Basie and Jones had first recorded together with Jones-Smith Incorporated on November 9 of 1936 for Vocalion: 'Shoe Shine Boy' and 'Lady Be Good', et al. That grouping consisted of Carl Smith (trumpet), Jimmy Rushing (vocals), Lester Young (tenor sax) and Walter Page, all of whom attended the first session of the Count Basie Orchestra on January 31 of 1937 for such as 'Honeysuckle Rose' and 'Pennies From Heaven'. Jones kept with Basie for another decade, thought to have drummed his last titles with him on December 12 of 1947 in Los Angeles: 'Robbin's Nest' and 'Hey Pretty Baby', et al. Jones would join the Basie Orchestra again at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1957 for such as 'Polka Dots and Moonbeams' and 'Lester Leaps In'. He also joined Basie that year for the December 9 telecast of 'Sound of Jazz'. In January of 1967 they both participated in John Hammond's 30th 'Spirituals to Swing' concert at Carnegie Hall.
'Sensational Mood' Papa Jo Jones (drums) w Lloyd Hunter's Serenaders
Recorded 2 April 1931 in NYC Jones' first-known recording
Matrix VO-159-A Vocalion 1621
Probable personnel:
Trumpet: Lloyd Hunter / Reuben Flloyd / George Lott Trombone: Dan Minor
Reeds: Noble Floyd / Archie Watts / Harold Arnold
Piano: George Madison or Burton Brewer
Banjo: Herbert Hannas or Isadore Langlois Tuba: Wallace Wright
Drums: Jo Jones Lord also suggests Amos Clayter but wider concensus prefers Jones
Composition: Henri Woode / Noble Floyd
As of Jones-Smith Incorporated in 1936 above, Rushing and Young were to become major figures in Jones' career. Jones would back countless titles by Rushing, first with Basie, then with Rushing's All Stars, into the latter sixties. Tom Lord shows them together for the last time on October 30 of 1967 for Rushing's albums, 'Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You' and 'Who Was It Sang That Song?'.
'Take Me Back Baby' Papa Jo Jones (drums) w Count Basie (piano)
Soundie featuring Jimmy Rushing (vocal) recorded c 27 Oct 1941 Released 1941
Probable personnel:
Trumpet: Al Killian / Ed Lewis / Buck Clayton / Harry "Sweets" Edison
Trombone: Dicky Wells / Ed Cuffee / Dan Minor
Reeds: Earle Warren / Tab Smith / Don Byas / Buddy Tate / Jack Washington
Guitar: Freddie Green Double bass: Walter Page
Composition: Count Basie / Jimmy Rushing / Tab Smith
Rushing's dream partner is dancer Winnie Johnson
'Air Mail Special' Papa Jo Jones (drums) w Count Basie (piano)
Soundie featuring Jimmy Rushing recorded c 27 Oct 1941 Released Dec 1941
Probable personnel:
Trumpet: Al Killian / Ed Lewis / Buck Clayton / Harry "Sweets" Edison
Trombone: Dicky Wells / Ed Cuffee / Dan Minor
Reeds: Earle Warren / Tab Smith / Don Byas / Buddy Tate / Jack Washington
Guitar: Freddie Green Double bass: Walter Page
Composition: Jim Mundy / Benny Goodman / Charlie Christian
Rushing's Lindy Hop partner is Winnie Johnson
As for Young, much like Page he and Jones recorded together often with Basie as well as other operations like those of Billie Holiday and Teddy Wilson. Lord's sessionography shows their last titles together at the Newport Jazz Festival in July of 1958 with Buck Clayton and Jack Teagarden on such as 'Royal Garden Blues' and 'I Cover the Waterfront'. Jones' first titles with Clayton had been with Basie on January 21 of 1957. Clayton would be an important associate for another twenty years, they recording countless titles together, first with Basie, then with Clayton's own bands. Hinton's first tracks with Clayton's orchestra were in New York City circa August of 1947 to support Helen Humes on such as 'Jet Propelled Papa' and 'They Raided the Joint'. Lord shows their last titles together per Rushing's albums, 'Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You' and 'Who Was It Sang That Song?' in October of 1967.
'Jammin' the Blues' Papa Jo Jones
Film directed by Gjon Mili Released 9 Nov 1944
Trumpet: Harry Sweets Edison
Tenor sax: Lester Young / Illinois Jacquet
Piano: Marlowe Morris Guitar: Barney Kessel
Double bass: Red Callender / John Simmons
Drums: Big Sid Catlett / Papa Jo Jones (last tune)
Vocals: Marie Bryant
'Jumpin' at the Woodside' Papa Jo Jones (drums)
Composition: Count Basie / Eddie Durham
Version 1: 31 March 1954 Matrux CO51245-1 Columbia B2089
Version 2: 13 Aug 1954 Matrix CO51245-2 Columbia CL701
Version 1 personnel:
Trumpet: Buck Clayton / Joe Thomas
Trombone: Urbie Green / Trummy Young Clarinet: Woody Herman
Alto sax: Lem Davis Tenor sax: Al Cohn / Julian Dash
Piano / celeste: Jimmy Jones Guitar: Steve Jordan
Double bass: Walter Page
Version 2 personnel:
Trumpet: Buck Clayton / Joe Newman
Trombone: Urbie Green / Trummy Young Clarinet: Woody Herman
Alto sax: Lem Davis Tenor sax: Coleman Hawkins
Baritone sax: Charlie Fowlkes
Piano / celeste: Billy Kyle Guitar: Freddie Green
Double bass: Milt Hinton
Jones is thought to have first recorded with Benny Goodman as members of the Teddy Wilson Orchestra with Clayton and Billie Holiday on January 25 of 1937 for such as 'He Ain't Got Rhythm' and 'This Year's Kisses'. Both Holiday and Wilson figured large in Jones' career. Jones backed Holiday numerously to as late as July 6, 1957, with the Mal Waldron All Stars, performing 'Fine and Mellow' on 'The Sound of Jazz' telecast for CBS Television. Jones kept his spot in Wilson's orchestra into 1938, joining him again in 1941 and 1954-56 ('The Impeccable Mr. Wilson' and 'These Tunes Remind Me of You'). They reunited on July 2 of 1972 at Carnegie Hall to back Benny Carter.
'Foolin' Myself' Papa Jo Jones (drums) backing Billie Holiday
1 June 1937 in NYC Matrux B21217-1 Brunswick 7911 / Columbia CL637
Teddy Wilson Orchestra:
Trumpet: Buck Clayton Clarinet: Buster Bailey
Tenor sax: Lester Young
Piano: Wilson Guitar: Freddie Green
Double bass: Walter Page
Composition: Jack Lawrence / Peter Tinturin
Trombonist and vibraphonist, Tyree Glenn, was also of notable presence in Jones' career. Their initial session together is thought to have been on May 27, 1938, with Timme Rosenkrantz and his Barrelhouse Barons: 'A Wee Bit of Swing' and 'The Song Is Ended' along with two vocals by Inez Cavanaugh: 'Is This to Be My Souvenir?' and 'When the Day Is Done'. They backed vocalist, Chris Powell, in April of 1950 before the Bill Doggett Trio in 1951 in support Glenn's 'Tell Me Why', 'Sugar', et el. It was Glenn's All Stars in 1952 with Hank Jones and Milt Hinton for 'Sidewalks of New York' and 'How Could You Do a Thing Like That?'. Jones would surface on a number of Glenn's albums: 'At the Embers' (1957), 'At the Roundtable' (1958), 'Let's Have a Ball' (1958) and 'At the London House' (1961). They reunited in 1972 per above to back Benny Carter at Carnegie Hall, Teddy Wilson and Hinton also in on that.
'Love For Sale' Papa Jo Jones (drums)
1958 in NYC From the album 'Let's Have a Ball' on Roulette R25115
Trombone: Tyree Glenn Piano: Tommy Flanagan
Guitar: Mary Osborne Double bass: Tommy Potter
Composition: Cole Porter
'Lonesome Road' Papa Jo Jones (drums)
C 1961 at the London House (no audience) in Chicago
From the album 'At The London House' on Roulette R25138
Trumpet: Harold Shorty Baker
Trombone: Tyree Glenn Piano: Hank Jones
Guitar: Mary Osborne Double bass: Milt Hinton
Composition: Gene Austin / Nathanial Shilkret
We return to April 10, 1941, for the important figure in Hinton's career that would be saxophonist, Coleman Hawkins, they both with Count Basie's band on that date for such as 'I Do Mean You' and '9:20 Special'. Thirteen years later they would back Buck Clayton with Joe Newman on such as 'Jumpin' at the Woodside' and 'Don't Be That Way'. It was next Hawkins's band for 'Timeless Jazz' on November 8 of 1954. Numerous sessions followed for another decade either supporting other operations like Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP) or working on Hawkins's projects including 'The Hawk Flies High' in 1957, an engagement at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1957, 'Body and Soul' in 1961 and a tour to Europe (independent of JATP) in 1964. Jones' last session with Hawkins is thought to have been on that tour on October 2 in London with Sweets Edison for such as 'Stoned' and 'Centerpiece'.
'Caravan' Papa Jo Jones (drums)
Taped in England sometime 1964
From the album 'At The London House' on Roulette R25138
Trumpet: Harry Sweets Edison
Trombone: Tyree Glenn Tenor sax: Coleman Hawkins
Piano: "Sir" Charles Thompson Double bass: Jimmy Woode
Music: Juan Tizol / Duke Ellington 1936 Lyrics: Irving Mills
We need step back to August of 1944 in Hollywood for another of the major figures in Jones' career, that being tenor saxophonist, Illinois Jacquet, with whom he recorded 'Jammin' the Blues' (above) on that date for the short film of the same title. They saw each other on multiple occasions with Count Basie or the JATP before the Illinois Jacquet Orchestra on April 6 of 1949 for 'Big Foot', Black Velvet', etc.. They visited again with JATP in 1956 before recording Jacquet's 'Swing's the Thing' on October 16 of 1956 with Roy Eldridge on trumpet. It was Jacquet's 'The King' in 1968. Hinton joined Jacquet in Paris, at Carnegie Hall and in Minden, Ontario, in 1974. Lord shows their last of numerous sessions together in Paris on July 17 of 1975 for 'I Found a New Chapeau', that a trio with organist, Milt Buckner.
'Can't We Be Friends?' Papa Jo Jones (drums)
16 Oct 1956 in Los Angeles Matrix 4025-3
From the Jacquet album 'Swing's the Thing' on Verve MGV8023
Trumpet: Roy Eldridge Tenor sax: Illinois Jacquet
Piano: Jimmy Jones Double bass: Ray Brown
Music: Juan Tizol / Duke Ellington 1936 Lyrics: Irving Mills
Having mentioned Jazz at the Philharmonic a few times, Jones was invited to join that operation on at least ten dates, the first at Carnegie Hall on September 27 of 1947 with Howard McGhee on trumpet for 'Perdido', 'Mordido', 'Endido' and 'I Surrender Dear'. Jones' last occasion with the JATP is thought to have been on November 25 of 1960 in Paris with Roy Eldridge for 'Take the 'A' Train', 'Indiana', et al.
'Nat King Cole Show' Papa Jo Jones (drums) w JAPT for Norman Granz
15 Oct 1957 Season 3 Episode 5
Trumpet: Roy Eldridge Tenor sax: Illinois Jacquet / Flip Phllips
Piano: Oscar Peterson Guitar: Herb Ellis Double bass: Ray Brown
We should retrace to March 5, 1950, for one of the major double bassists with whom Jones performed on occasion in the fifties, that Tommy Potter backing Sonny Stitt who was leading a band with Gene Ammons to include Duke Jordan on that date toward such as 'Bye Bye' and 'Let It Be'. They also backed vocalist, Teddy Williams, on 'A Touch of the Blues' and 'Dumb Woman Blues' on that date. Potter joined the Jo Jones Quartet with Lucky Thompson and Dick Katz toward such as "Indiana" and 'Fine and Dandy' in November of 1956 after which they worked with Tyree Glenn and Tommy Flanagan together. Potter then supported the Jo Jones Sextet on 19 April 1960 toward the album, 'Vamp Til Ready'. As for Stitt, he and Jones crossed paths often into the latter fifties, performing numerously together in support of other bands, such as Norman Granz' JATP. On November 20 of 1952 Jones backed Stitt on 'Symphony Hall Swing'. Lord traces their last recordings together to the JATP at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on October 9 of 1957 for 'Slow Blues', 'Merry-Go-Round', et al.
'Roy's Son' Papa Jo Jones (drums) w the Oscar Peterson Trio
7 July 1957 at the Newport Jazz Festival
Trumpet: Roy Eldridge Alto / tenor sax: Sonny Stitt
Piano: Oscar Peterson Guitar: Herb Ellis Double bass: Ray Brown
Composition: Eldridge / Stitt
'Vamp 'til Ready' Papa Jo Jones (drums) Sextet
19 April 1960 From the album 'Vamp 'til Ready' on Everest LPBR 5099
Trumpet: Harry Sweets Edison Tenor sax: Jimmy Forrest Trombone: Bennie Green
Piano: Tommy Flanagan Double bass: Tommy Potter
Composition: Jo Jones
Another major figure in Jones career was organist, Milt Buckner, for whom we return to March 25, 1950, when they supported vocalist, Mabel Scott, on such as 'Fine, Fine Baby' and 'Baseball Boogie' with Buckner at piano. Sixteen years later in November of 1966 Jones backed Buckner's 'Play, Milt, Play' in Paris with Roy Eldridge, Illinois Jacquet and Jimmy Woode (bass). They thereafter recorded on multiple occasions together to 1977, especially on tours to Europe from 1971 to 1977 (excepting 1976). That last occasion in 1977 is thought to have been live in Mantes-la-Jolie, France, in a trio with Buddy Tate at tenor sax for 'Sweet Georgia Brown'.
'Caravan' Papa Jo Jones (drums) Trio
13 Jan 1974 From the album 'Vamp 'til Ready' on Everest LPBR 5099
Trumpet: Harry Sweets Edison Tenor sax: Jimmy Forrest Trombone: Bennie Green
Tenor sax: Illinois Jacquet Hammond B3: Milt Buckner
Music: Juan Tizol / Duke Ellington 1936 Lyrics: Irving Mills
Another personality who played a major role in Jones' career was Ella Fitzgerald, for whom we step back to February 7, 1953, to pianist, George Wein's, Storyville jazz club in Boston for such as 'Why Don't You Do Right?' and 'Mean to Me'. (Wein owned Storyville Records in the fifties as well, not to be confused with the Danish label during the same period owned by Karl Emil Knudsen.) Jones was up to travel Fitzgerald's itinerary for another four years and is found on no few recordings with her during that period. Their last session together is thought to have been at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on October 7, 1957, for 'At the Opera House'. Jones recorded his first unissued name titles with pianist, George Wein, at the latter's Storyville Club in Boston in 1953. Those were 'Please Don't Talk About Me' and 'Pennies From Heaven' with Ruby Braff on trumpet and Jimmy Woode on bass. Braff and Jones are thought to have first recorded together at the Storyville Club in Boston on April 29 of 1951 for such as ''S Wonderful' and 'Struttin' with Some Barbecue', et al. Jones would support Braff in 1955 on 'Little Big Horn' and 'Ruby Braff Special'.
JAPT live in Netherlands Papa Jo Jones (drums) w Ella Fitzgerald
Taped 5 May 1957 Aired 28 Aug 1958
Oscar Peterson Trio w Roy Eldridge Drum solo: 22:11
Stuff Smith (violin): 28:35 Ella Fitzgerald: 45:28
Fitzgerald also backed by:
Piano: Don Abney Guitar: Herb Ellis Double bass: Ray Brown
See the album 'Ella Fitzgerald: 's Wonderful: Live in Amsterdam 1957 & 1960'
Per above, Jones had released his first album, 'The Jo Jones Special', in 1955. The next year he contributed to pianist, Ray Bryant's album, 'Ray Bryant Trio' on 3 of May 1956. Other drummers on that platter were Kenny Clarke and Osie Johnson. Bryant and Jones backed numerous operations together to as late as 1967. Bryant participated in a couple of Jones' albums as well, first 'Jo Jones Plus Two' on 30 April 1958 prior to 'Jo Jones Trio' in March 1959.
'Embraceable You' Papa Jo Jones (drums) Trio
21 March 1959
From the album 'Jo Jones Trio'
Piano: Ray Bryant Double bass: Tommy Bryant
Composition: Gershwin Brothers 1928
Jones is thought to have recorded the last two of ten albums in 1977: 'Papa Jo and His Friends' and 'Our Man, Papa Jo'. The next year in July he featured at the Nice Jazz Festival with pianists Mary Lou Williams and Hank Jones, which are the last recordings on which I find him. Lord traces Jones to as late as 1981 with pianists, Kunihiko Sugano and Walter Bishop Jr., but those were actually with drummer, Jo Jones Jr. who may or may not be his son, Jonathan Jr.. Having been married to one Vivien Greene, Jones' three other children were Joanna, Barbara and David. Jo Jones Jr. is nigh nonexistent on the internet, though there is a photograph of him on the back cover of Mark Morganelli's album, 'Live on Broadway', which makes clear that he is not his (presumable) father, Jo Jones. Be as may, Lord otherwise has Jones putting away his last-known recordings at the Nice Jazz Festival in France in 1978, first with Carrie Smith on 9 July (presumably following Williams), then Helen Humes on 11 July followed by Sweets Edison on 13 July.
Nice Jazz Festival Papa Jo Jones (drums) w Mary Lou Williams (piano)
July 1978 in Nice Jones at 21:14
Double bass: Ronnie Boykins
Jones' last-known recordings at this festival in France on 13 July 1978
Jones was house drummer at the West End jazz club in NYC during his latter career. Among the host of others for whom he swang sticks were the Kansas City Six, Ida Cox, Joe Bushkin, Paul Gonsalves, Earl Hines, Machito, Blossom Dearie, the Newport Jazz Festival All Stars, Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster and Rose Murphy (1958). Jones died of pneumonia on September 3 of 1983 in New York City.
Sources & References for Papa Jo Jones:
Jeff Potter (Modern Drummer)
VF History (notes)
Scott Yanow (All Music)
Documentaries: Steve Maxwell (2020) Richard Pite (c 2012/13 for BBC)
Jones on Film / Television: IMDb
Interviews: The Kid from Redbank: William Count Basie (excerpt of Jones on Basie / 1983 the year of his death in September)
Recordings: Catalogs: Discogs MusicBrainz RYM SHS
Recordings: Select:
The Oscar Peterson Trio at Newport / American Recording Society G-438 / 1957:
Vamp 'til Ready / Jo Jones Sextet / Everest LPBR 5099 / 1960:
Recordings: Sessions:
DAHR (1937-1956)
Tom Lord: leading 17 of 542 sessions 1931-1978
Repertoire:
Jumpin' at the Woodside (Durham / Basie 1937/38)
Love For Sale (Cole Porter / 1930)
Further Reading:
Steven A. Cerra (The Man Who Played Like The Wind / 2024)
Bibliography:
Rifftide: The Life and Opinions of Papa Jo Jones (as told to Albert Murray / 2011)
Other Profiles: Drummer World Find a Grave New World Encyclopedia
Classical Main Menu Modern Recording
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