Little Johnny Jones (pianist)

Little Johnny Jones ( born November 1, 1924 in Jackson, Mississippi, † November 19, 1964 in Chicago, Illinois) was an American pianist and singer who was particularly known for his work with Muddy Waters and Elmore James.

Life

Jones was born into a musical family in, his mother played the piano in churches in Jackson and his father played guitar and harmonica. But his biggest influence, as with many pianists from Chicago, Big Maceo Merriweather was who took under his wing in and him as " son " bezeichnete.Jones in 1946 from Mississippi to Chicago and soon established himself as a sought musicians. Big Maceo Merriweather Having had a stroke that paralyzed his hand, Johnny Jones replaced him in the band from Tampa Red As a pianist he was listening to his recordings from 1949 to 1953. He was also heard on " Screamin 'and Cryin' " by Muddy Waters and on recordings by Howlin 'Wolf. From 1952 to 1956 he assisted Elmore James with his recordings and formed with him, saxophonist J. T. Brown and drummer Odie Payne " Broomdusters " countless recordings for Meteor, Flair, Chief, Chess, Vee Jay and Fire aufnahmen.Bei " Flip, Flop & Fly ", he played the piano for Big Joe Turner. He often played in Sylvio 's, the most important club in Chicago's West Side. There were three bands playing in the evening and often Jones sat with all three at the piano.

In 1949 he recorded his first single, " Big Town Playboy " on for Aristocrat. On this recording, he was accompanied by Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, and Leroy Foster. The title was re-recorded in 1955 by guitarist Eddie Taylor. In addition to his pianistic abilities and his voice was enthralling. By 1953, he took himself to two singles. After that he was, until his death in 1964 again active in clubs and as a session musician, among others, with Howlin 'Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Syl Johnson, Billy Boy Arnold and Magic Sam.

Bruce Iglauer says in the liner notes to "Live in Chicago with Billy Boy Arnold ," that if he until the 1970s - would have lived years, his fame compete with the Otis Spann could have. 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 on November 19, 1964 to lung cancer.

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)