Little Johnny Jones (pianist)
Encyclopedia
Little Johnny Jones was an American
Chicago blues
pianist
and singer, best known for his work with Tampa Red
, Muddy Waters
and Elmore James
.
in 1924. He arrived in Chicago, Illinois in 1945 in the company of Little Walter
and "Baby Face" Leroy Foster, and soon replaced pianist Big Maceo Merriweather
in Tampa Red
's band after Merriweather suffered a stroke which paralysed his right hand. He later backed Muddy Waters
on harmonica
, and recorded (on piano and vocals) with Waters for the Aristocrat
label in 1949. From 1952 to 1956 he played and recorded with Elmore James
, and in later years he worked with Howling Wolf, Billy Boy Arnold
and Magic Sam
, among others.
Like several other Chicago pianists of his era, his style was heavily influenced by Big Maceo Merriweather, from whom he had learned, and for whom he played piano after Merriweather's stroke. Jones's 1949 side "Big Town Playboy" is regarded as a classic of the genre, and was covered by guitarist Eddie Taylor
in 1955.
Popular with audiences, Jones was a heavy drinker and had a reputation as a wild character. According to Homesick James
, who worked and toured with them in the 1950s, "Elmore and Johnnie used to just have a fight every night".
Jones married his wife Letha in 1952. He died of bronchopneumonia
, in Cook County Hospital, in November 1964.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Chicago blues
Chicago blues
The Chicago blues is a form of blues music that developed in Chicago, Illinois, by taking the basic acoustic guitar and harmonica-based Delta blues, making the harmonica louder with a microphone and an instrument amplifier, and adding electrically amplified guitar, amplified bass guitar, drums,...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and singer, best known for his work with Tampa Red
Tampa Red
Tampa Red , born Hudson Woodbridge but known from childhood as Hudson Whittaker, was an American Chicago blues musician....
, Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters
McKinley Morganfield , known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician, generally considered the "father of modern Chicago blues"...
and Elmore James
Elmore James
Elmore James was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and band leader. He was known as "the King of the Slide Guitar" and had a unique guitar style, noted for his use of loud amplification and his stirring voice.-Biography:James was born Elmore Brooks in the old Richland community in...
.
Life and career
Jones was born in Jackson, MississippiJackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
in 1924. He arrived in Chicago, Illinois in 1945 in the company of Little Walter
Little Walter
Little Walter, born Marion Walter Jacobs , was an American blues harmonica player, whose revolutionary approach to his instrument has earned him comparisons to Charlie Parker and Jimi Hendrix, for innovation and impact on succeeding generations...
and "Baby Face" Leroy Foster, and soon replaced pianist Big Maceo Merriweather
Big Maceo Merriweather
Big Maceo Merriweather was an American Chicago blues pianist and singer, active in Chicago in the 1940s.-Career:...
in Tampa Red
Tampa Red
Tampa Red , born Hudson Woodbridge but known from childhood as Hudson Whittaker, was an American Chicago blues musician....
's band after Merriweather suffered a stroke which paralysed his right hand. He later backed Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters
McKinley Morganfield , known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician, generally considered the "father of modern Chicago blues"...
on harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, and recorded (on piano and vocals) with Waters for the Aristocrat
Aristocrat Records
Aristocrat Records, sometimes referred to The Aristocrat of Records, was founded in April 1947 by Charles and Evelyn Aron, together with their partners Fred and Mildred Brount and Art Spiegel. By September Leonard Chess had invested in the young record company. Over time, Leonard bought the others...
label in 1949. From 1952 to 1956 he played and recorded with Elmore James
Elmore James
Elmore James was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and band leader. He was known as "the King of the Slide Guitar" and had a unique guitar style, noted for his use of loud amplification and his stirring voice.-Biography:James was born Elmore Brooks in the old Richland community in...
, and in later years he worked with Howling Wolf, Billy Boy Arnold
Billy Boy Arnold
Billy Boy Arnold is an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter.-Biography:...
and Magic Sam
Magic Sam
Samuel "Magic Sam" Gene Maghett was an American Chicago blues musician. Maghett was born in Grenada, Mississippi, United States, and learned to play the blues from listening to records by Muddy Waters and Little Walter...
, among others.
Like several other Chicago pianists of his era, his style was heavily influenced by Big Maceo Merriweather, from whom he had learned, and for whom he played piano after Merriweather's stroke. Jones's 1949 side "Big Town Playboy" is regarded as a classic of the genre, and was covered by guitarist Eddie Taylor
Eddie Taylor
Eddie Taylor was an American electric blues guitarist and singer.-Biography:Born Edward Taylor in Benoit, Mississippi, United States, as a boy Taylor taught himself to play the guitar. He spent his early years playing at venues around Leland, Mississippi, where he taught his friend Jimmy Reed to...
in 1955.
Popular with audiences, Jones was a heavy drinker and had a reputation as a wild character. According to Homesick James
Homesick James
Homesick James was an American blues musician. He most notably played slide guitar, and recorded covers of "Stones In My Passway" and "Homesick"...
, who worked and toured with them in the 1950s, "Elmore and Johnnie used to just have a fight every night".
Jones married his wife Letha in 1952. He died of bronchopneumonia
Bronchopneumonia
Bronchopneumonia or bronchial pneumonia or "Bronchogenic pneumonia" is the acute inflammation of the walls of the bronchioles...
, in Cook County Hospital, in November 1964.
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
Albums
- Live in Chicago with Billy Boy Arnold, AlligatorAlligator RecordsAlligator Records is a Chicago-based independent blues record label founded by Bruce Iglauer in 1971.Iglauer started the label with his own savings to record and produce his favorite band Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, whom his employer, Bob Koester of Delmark Records, declined to record...
AL-4717 (1979)