Little Johnny Jones
Little Johnny Jones (born November 1, 1924 in Jackson , Mississippi , † November 19, 1964 in Chicago , Illinois ) was an American pianist and singer, who was best known for his work with Muddy Waters and Elmore James .
Life
Jones was born into a musical family, his mother played the piano in churches in Jackson and his father played guitar and harmonica. But his greatest influence, as with many Chicago pianists, was Big Maceo Merriweather , who took him under his wing and referred to him as "son". Jones came to Chicago from Mississippi in 1946 and soon established himself as a sought-after musician. After Big Maceo Merriweather had a stroke that paralyzed his hand, Johnny Jones replaced him in the Tampa Red band . As a pianist he could be heard on his recordings from 1949 to 1953. He was also heard on "Screamin 'and Cryin'" by Muddy Waters and on recordings of Howlin 'Wolf . From 1952 to 1956 he supported Elmore James with his recordings and formed with him, the saxophonist JT Brown and the drummer Odie Payne the "Broomdusters" which recorded countless recordings for Meteor, Flair, Chief, Chess , Vee Jay and Fire. On "Flip, Flop & Fly" he played piano for Big Joe Turner. He often played at Sylvio's, the main club on Chicago's west side. Three bands played there in the evening and Jones often sat at the piano with all three.
In 1949 he recorded his first single "Big Town Playboy" for Aristocrat . On this recording he was accompanied by Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers , and Leroy Foster . The track was re-recorded in 1955 by guitarist Eddie Taylor . In addition to his pianistic skills, his voice was also gripping. Until 1953 he recorded two singles himself. After that he was again active in clubs and as a session musician until his death in 1964, with Howlin 'Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson , Syl Johnson , Billy Boy Arnold and Magic Sam , among others .
Bruce Iglauer says in the liner notes for Live in Chicago with Billy Boy Arnold that if he had lived into the 1970s, his fame could have rivaled Otis Spann's. And Bill Dahl says in the All Music Guide that he was one of the greatest pianists who ever lived in Chicago. Johnny Jones died of lung cancer on November 19, 1964.
Discography
Singles
- "Big Town Playboy" / "Shelby County Blues", Aristocrat 405
- "Sweet Little Woman" / "I May Be Wrong", Flair 1010
- "Hoy, Hoy" / "Doin 'the Best I Can (Up the Line)", Atlantic 1045
album
- Live in Chicago with Billy Boy Arnold , Alligator AL-4717 (1979)
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Jones, Little Johnny |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Jones, Johnny |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American blues pianist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 1, 1924 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Jackson , Mississippi |
| DATE OF DEATH | November 19, 1964 |
| Place of death | Chicago , Illinois |