JO JONES
drummer born in chicago october 7th 1911, i went to alabama at the age of 13 and began there as a musician and a dancer.
In 1935 he joined count basie's orchestra in kansas city, and became famous when he came to new york with this orchestra on the late 1936.
he played with basie since 1944, when he entered the american army.
In early 1946 he went back to civil life and went back to play with count basie, since 1947 when he left the orchestra go on tour with the " Jazz at the philarmonic "and with Illinois jacquet's orchestra. Then he fixed his life in new york city, playing with groups like Lester Young's, and joe bushkin's, and with his own trio also.
He came to europe several times with" Jazz at the philarmonic " and since 1969 with Milt buckner.
Jo Jones is the major influence for so many jazz drummerssince 1938 with his great technics and awesome hi hat swing.he was also a master with the brushes, and had the most inventive breaks ever...
( extrait du Dictionnaire du Jazz by H.panassié )
By way of his work with Count Basie's band from 1936 to 1944 and 1946 to 1948, Jones redefined the concept of a drummer. He lightened up on the four-beats-to-the-bar standard of bass drum playing, was possibly the first to use the ride cymbal as the main timekeeping accessory, and did things with the hi-hats that are still being studied today. Jones' ability as a melodic and humorous soloist reminds one of a virtuoso tap dancer who makes everything look easy. Jones continues to be a major influence on everyone who played--and plays--drums.
(drummerworld )