b. March 1, 1929 in Greenwood, MS, d. May 31, 1997 in West Hartford, CT.
Jones grew up in Red Bank, New Jersey, and played early in the 1950s with Sarah Vaughan and Lester Young. Jones taught music in South Carolina from 1951 to 1952, and became a member of Count Basie's orchestra in 1953, remaining there until 1962. He recorded frequently with this ensemble, and also played with Basie in smaller ensembles; these featured both Basie sidemen (Joe Newman, Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Thad Jones, Ernie Wilkins) and others (Milt Jackson, Coleman Hawkins, Putte Wickman). Jones quit music in 1962 and took a job with IBM; he later became vice president of an insurance company. In the 1980s he returned to jazz and played on and off in swing jazz ensembles.
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by Scott Yanow
Eddie Jones is best-known for his long period with Count Basie's Orchestra in the 1950s. Coincidentally, he grew up in Red Bank, New Jersey near Basie's home, although Basie had left the area years earlier. He studied music at Howard University and gained experience working with Sarah Vaughan and Lester Young. Jones was a music teacher in South Carolina during 1951-1952 before joining Count Basie's Orchestra in 1953. He stayed for nine years, recording extensively with Basie and appearing on many small group sessions not only with Basie's sidemen (including Joe Newman, Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Thad Jones, and Ernie Wilkins) but ones led by Milt Jackson, Coleman Hawkins, and Putte Wickman, among others. In 1962, Jones left music to work at IBM (later becoming vice-president of an insurance company). Jones returned to playing on a part-time basis in the '80s, appearing occasionally in mainstream and swing settings.