Philly Joe Jones
Encyclopedia
Joseph Rudolph Jones (July 15, 1923 – August 30, 1985) was a Philadelphia-born United States jazz drummer
, known as the drummer for the Miles Davis Quintet
.
Philly Joe Jones was often confused with another influential jazz drummer, Jo Jones
. The two died only a few days apart from each other.
in New York City, where he played with the leading bebop
players of the day. Among them, the most important influence on Jones was Tadd Dameron
. Jones toured and recorded with Miles Davis Quintet
from 1955 to 1958 – a band that became known as "The Quintet". Miles acknowledged that Jones was his favorite drummer (in fact, in his autobiography, Davis admitted to asking other drummers to play that "Philly Joe lick", with mixed results). He organized the Davis Quintet in 1955 so that Jones and Davis would not have difficulties finding competent local musicians to play with them.
From 1958 onwards Jones worked as a leader, but continued to work as a sideman with other musicians, including Bill Evans
and Hank Mobley
. Evans also openly admitted that Philly Joe was his all-time favorite drummer. For two years (1967–69) he taught at a specially organised school in Hampstead
, London, but was prevented from otherwise working in the UK by the Musicians' Union
.
From 1981 he helped to found the group Dameronia
, dedicated to the music of the composer Tadd Dameron
, and led it until his death.
He also played in 2 movies
With others
Jazz drumming
Jazz drumming is the art of playing percussion in jazz styles ranging from 1910s-style Dixieland jazz to 1970s-era jazz-rock fusion and 1980s-era latin jazz...
, known as the drummer for the Miles Davis Quintet
Miles Davis Quintet
The Miles Davis Quintet was an American jazz band from 1955 to early 1969 led by Miles Davis. The quintet underwent frequent personnel changes toward its metamorphosis into a different ensemble in 1969...
.
Philly Joe Jones was often confused with another influential jazz drummer, Jo Jones
Jo Jones
Jo Jones was an American jazz drummer.Known as Papa Jo Jones in his later years, he was sometimes confused with another influential jazz drummer, Philly Joe Jones...
. The two died only a few days apart from each other.
Biography
In 1947 he became the house drummer at Café SocietyCafé Society
Café society was the collective description for the so-called "Beautiful People" and "Bright Young Things" who gathered in fashionable cafes and restaurants in New York, Paris, and London beginning in the late 19th century...
in New York City, where he played with the leading bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
players of the day. Among them, the most important influence on Jones was Tadd Dameron
Tadd Dameron
Tadley Ewing Peake "Tadd" Dameron was an American jazz composer, arranger and pianist. Saxophonist Dexter Gordon called Dameron the "romanticist" of the bop movement, while reviewer Scott Yanow writes that Dameron was the "definitive arranger/composer of the bop era".-Biography:Born in Cleveland,...
. Jones toured and recorded with Miles Davis Quintet
Miles Davis Quintet
The Miles Davis Quintet was an American jazz band from 1955 to early 1969 led by Miles Davis. The quintet underwent frequent personnel changes toward its metamorphosis into a different ensemble in 1969...
from 1955 to 1958 – a band that became known as "The Quintet". Miles acknowledged that Jones was his favorite drummer (in fact, in his autobiography, Davis admitted to asking other drummers to play that "Philly Joe lick", with mixed results). He organized the Davis Quintet in 1955 so that Jones and Davis would not have difficulties finding competent local musicians to play with them.
From 1958 onwards Jones worked as a leader, but continued to work as a sideman with other musicians, including Bill Evans
Bill Evans
William John Evans, known as Bill Evans was an American jazz pianist. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists including: Chick Corea, Herbie...
and Hank Mobley
Hank Mobley
Henry Mobley was an American hard bop and soul jazz tenor saxophonist and composer. Mobley was described by Leonard Feather as the "middleweight champion of the tenor saxophone", a metaphor used to describe his tone that was neither as aggressive as John Coltrane nor as mellow as Stan Getz...
. Evans also openly admitted that Philly Joe was his all-time favorite drummer. For two years (1967–69) he taught at a specially organised school in Hampstead
Hampstead
Hampstead is an area of London, England, north-west of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Camden in Inner London, it is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland...
, London, but was prevented from otherwise working in the UK by the Musicians' Union
Musicians' Union (UK)
-About the MU:The Musicians' Union is an organisation which represents over 30,000 musicians working in all sectors of the UK music business.-Campaigns:The MU stages regular campaigns in relation to relevant musical and industrial issues...
.
From 1981 he helped to found the group Dameronia
Dameronia
Dameronia was the name of a bebop jazz ensemble founded by Don Sickler and Philly Joe Jones in the 1980s in tribute to Tadd Dameron. They recorded two albums, one for Uptown Records and the other for Soul Note Records, and continued to perform even after Jones' death in 1985....
, dedicated to the music of the composer Tadd Dameron
Tadd Dameron
Tadley Ewing Peake "Tadd" Dameron was an American jazz composer, arranger and pianist. Saxophonist Dexter Gordon called Dameron the "romanticist" of the bop movement, while reviewer Scott Yanow writes that Dameron was the "definitive arranger/composer of the bop era".-Biography:Born in Cleveland,...
, and led it until his death.
He also played in 2 movies
As leader
- 1957: The Joe Jones Special – Jazztone
- 1958: Blues for Dracula (Riverside RecordsRiverside RecordsRiverside Records was a United States record label specializing in jazz. Founded by Orrin Keepnews and Bill Grauer under his firm Bill Grauer Productions, Inc. in 1953, the label was a major presence in the jazz record industry for a decade...
) - 1959: Drums Around the World: Philly Joe Jones Big Band Sounds (Riverside)
- 1959: Showcase (Riverside, with Blue MitchellBlue MitchellRichard Allen Mitchell was an American jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, rock, and funk trumpeter, known for many albums recorded as leader and sideman for Riverside, Blue Note and then Mainstream Records.-Biography:...
, Julian PriesterJulian PriesterJulian Priester is an American jazz trombonist and composer.He has played with many artists including Sun Ra, Max Roach, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane and Herbie Hancock.-Biography:...
, Pepper AdamsPepper AdamsPark Frederick "Pepper" Adams III was a jazz baritone saxophonist and composer. He composed 43 pieces, was the leader on twenty albums, and participated in 600 sessions as a sideman.-Biography:...
) - 1960: Philly Joe's Beat – Atlantic
- 1964: Together!
- 1968: Mo' Joe – Black Lion
- 1968: My Fire – Prestige
- 1977: Mean What You Say – Sonet
- 1977: Philly Mignon – Galaxy
- 1978: Drum Songs – Galaxy
- 1979: Advance! – Galaxy
- 1981: Octet – Marge
- 1982: To Tadd with Love – Uptown
As sideman
With Miles DavisMiles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
- Miles: The New Miles Davis QuintetMiles: The New Miles Davis Quintet-Personnel:*Miles Davis — trumpet*John Coltrane — tenor saxophone*Red Garland — piano*Paul Chambers — bass*Philly Joe Jones — drums-See also:Albums recorded by the same personnel:* Cookin * Round About Midnight * Relaxin...
(1956) - Cookin' with The Miles Davis QuintetCookin' with the Miles Davis QuintetCookin' with the Miles Davis Quintet is an album recorded in 1956 by the Miles Davis Quintet. Two sessions 11 May 1956 and 26 October in the same year resulted in four albums—this one, Relaxin' with The Miles Davis Quintet, Steamin' with The Miles Davis Quintet and Workin' with The Miles Davis...
(1956) - Relaxin' with The Miles Davis QuintetRelaxin' with the Miles Davis QuintetRelaxin' with The Miles Davis Quintet is an album recorded in 1956 by Miles Davis. Two sessions on 11 May 1956 and 26 October in the same year resulted in four albums—this one, Steamin' with The Miles Davis Quintet, Workin' with The Miles Davis Quintet and Cookin' with the Miles Davis Quintet...
(1956) - Workin' with The Miles Davis QuintetWorkin' with the Miles Davis QuintetWorkin' with the Miles Davis Quintet is an album recorded in 1956 by Miles Davis. Two sessions on 11 May 1956 and 26 October in the same year resulted in four albums—this one, Relaxin' with The Miles Davis Quintet, Steamin' with The Miles Davis Quintet and Cookin' with the Miles Davis Quintet...
(1956) - Steamin' with The Miles Davis QuintetSteamin' with the Miles Davis QuintetSteamin' with the Miles Davis Quintet is an album recorded in 1956 by Miles Davis. Two sessions on May 11, 1956 and October 26 in the same year resulted in four albums—this one, Relaxin' with The Miles Davis Quintet, Workin' with The Miles Davis Quintet and Cookin' with the Miles Davis Quintet...
(1956) - 'Round About Midnight'Round About Midnight'Round About Midnight is an album by jazz musician Miles Davis. It was his debut on Columbia Records, and was originally released in March 1957 . The album took its name from the Thelonious Monk song 'Round Midnight"....
(1957) - Porgy and BessPorgy and Bess (Miles Davis album)Porgy and Bess is a studio album by jazz musician Miles Davis, released in 1958 on Columbia Records. The album features arrangements by Davis and collaborator Gil Evans from George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess. The album was recorded in four sessions on July 22, July 29, August 4, and August 18,...
(1958) - Milestones (1958)
- Someday My Prince Will Come (1961)
With others
- Clifford BrownClifford BrownClifford Brown , aka "Brownie," was an influential and highly rated American jazz trumpeter. He died aged 25, leaving behind only four years' worth of recordings...
– Memorial AlbumMemorial AlbumMemorial Album is an album by American jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown composed of tracks recorded at two sessions in 1953 and originally released on the Blue Note label in 1956...
(1953; Blue Note) - J.R. Monterose – J. R. MonteroseJ. R. Monterose (album)J. R. Monterose is the debut album by American saxophonist J. R. Monterose recorded in 1956 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 4½ stars and stated "J. R...
(1956; Blue NoteBlue Note RecordsBlue Note Records is a jazz record label, established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Francis Wolff became involved shortly afterwards. It derives its name from the characteristic "blue notes" of jazz and the blues. At the end of the 1950s, and in the early 1960s, Blue Note headquarters...
) - Sonny RollinsSonny RollinsTheodore Walter "Sonny" Rollins is a Grammy-winning American jazz tenor saxophonist. Rollins is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians. A number of his compositions, including "St...
– Tenor MadnessTenor MadnessTenor Madness is a jazz album by Sonny Rollins. It is most notable for its title track, the only known recording featuring both Rollins and John Coltrane.-History:...
(1956; Riverside) - Bennie GreenBennie GreenBennie Green was an American jazz trombonist.Born in Chicago, Illinois, Green worked in the orchestras of Earl Hines and Charlie Ventura, and recorded as bandleader through the 1950s and 1960s.-As leader:...
- Bennie Green with Art FarmerBennie Green with Art FarmerBennie Green with Art Farmer is an album by American trombonist Bennie Green with trumpeter Art Farmer recorded in 1956 and released on the Prestige label.-Reception:...
(1956) - Sonny Rollins – Newk's TimeNewk's TimeNewk's Time is an album by Sonny Rollins. It was his third album for Blue Note Records, released in 1957. Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Hackensack, NJ on September 22, 1957. The title of the album is a reference to Rollins' nickname "Newk", which is apparently based on his resemblance...
(1957; Blue Note) - John ColtraneJohn ColtraneJohn William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
– Blue TrainBlue Train (album)Blue Train is a hard bop jazz album by John Coltrane, released in 1957 on Blue Note Records, catalogue BLP 1577. Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio in Hackensack, New Jersey, it is Coltrane's second solo album, the only one he recorded for Blue Note as a leader, and the only one he conceived...
(1957; Blue Note) - Joe CastroJoe Castro (musician)Joe Castro was an American bebop jazz pianist, based primarily on the West Coast of the United States.-Biography:...
– Mood Jazz (1957; AtlanticAtlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
) - Art PepperArt PepperArt Pepper , born Arthur Edward Pepper, Jr., was an American alto saxophonist and clarinetist.About Pepper, Scott Yanow of All Music stated, "In the 1950s he was one of the few altoists that was able to develop his own sound despite the dominant influence of Charlie Parker" and: "When Art Pepper...
– Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm SectionArt Pepper Meets the Rhythm SectionArt Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section is a 1957 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with Red Garland, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones, who at the time were the rhythm section for Miles Davis's quintet....
(1957; Riverside) - Clark TerryClark TerryClark Terry is an American swing and bop trumpeter, a pioneer of the fluegelhorn in jazz, educator, NEA Jazz Masters inductee, and recipient of the 2010 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award...
– In OrbitIn Orbit (Clark Terry album)In Orbit is an album by jazz trumpeter Clark Terry, notably featuring Thelonious Monk as sideman and originally released in 1958.It was Monk's only Riverside appearance as sideman, the first of Terry's recordings on flugelhorn, the first Riverside date with bassist Sam Jones, and the only time...
(1958; Riverside) - Jimmy SmithJimmy Smith (musician)Jimmy Smith was a jazz musician whose performances on the Hammond B-3 electric organ helped to popularize this instrument...
– Softly as a Summer BreezeSoftly as a Summer BreezeSoftly as a Summer Breeze is an album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded in 1958 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1965...
(1958; Blue Note) - Bill EvansBill EvansWilliam John Evans, known as Bill Evans was an American jazz pianist. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists including: Chick Corea, Herbie...
– Everybody Digs Bill EvansEverybody Digs Bill EvansEverybody Digs Bill Evans is a record album by jazz musician Bill Evans, released in 1958, see .-History:Everybody Digs Bill Evans was the artist's second album, done two years after his first record as a leader...
(1958; Riverside Records) - Blue MitchellBlue MitchellRichard Allen Mitchell was an American jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, rock, and funk trumpeter, known for many albums recorded as leader and sideman for Riverside, Blue Note and then Mainstream Records.-Biography:...
– Big 6Big 6 (album)Big 6 is the debut album by American trumpeter Blue Mitchell recorded in 1958 and released on the Riverside label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 5 stars and stated "Mitchell is heard in excellent form in an all-star sextet".-Track listing:*Recorded in New York City...
(1958; Riverside) - Sonny ClarkSonny ClarkConrad Yeatis "Sonny" Clark was an American jazz pianist who mainly worked in the hard bop idiom.-Biography:...
– Cool Struttin'Cool Struttin'Cool Struttin' is a 1958 album by jazz pianist Sonny Clark. Described as an "enduring hard-bop classic" by the New York Times, the album features alto saxophonist Jackie McLean, trumpeter Art Farmer and two members of the Miles Davis Quintet, drummer Philly Joe Jones and bassist Paul Chambers...
(1958; Blue Note) - Bud PowellBud PowellEarl Rudolph "Bud" Powell was an American Jazz pianist. Powell has been described as one of "the two most significant pianists of the style of modern jazz that came to be known as bop", the other being his friend and contemporary Thelonious Monk...
– Time WaitsTime Waits: The Amazing Bud Powell (Vol. 4)Time Waits: The Amazing Bud Powell , also known as The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 4: Time Waits, is a studio album by jazz pianist Bud Powell, released on Blue Note Records in 1958, featuring a session Powell recorded at the Rudy Van Gelder Studio in Hackensack, New Jersey on May 24, 1958, with Sam...
(1958; Blue Note) - Freddie HubbardFreddie HubbardFrederick Dewayne "Freddie" Hubbard was an American jazz trumpeter. He was known primarily for playing in the bebop, hard bop and post bop styles from the early 1960s and on...
– Goin' UpGoin' UpGoin' Up is the second album by trumpeter Freddie Hubbard released on the Blue Note label in 1960. It features performances by Hubbard, Hank Mobley, McCoy Tyner, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones.-Track listing:# "Asiatic Raes" - 6:43...
(1960; Blue Note) Hub Cap (1961; Blue Note) - Dexter GordonDexter GordonDexter Gordon was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and an Academy Award-nominated actor . He is regarded as one of the first and most important musicians to adapt the bebop musical language of people like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell to the tenor saxophone...
– Dexter Calling...Dexter Calling...Dexter Calling... is an album by American jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon recorded in 1961 and released on the Blue Note label. "Soul Sister", "I Want More" and "Ernie's Tune" were written for the 1962 experimental movie The Connection.-Reception:...
(1961; Blue Note) - Blue Mitchell – Smooth as the WindSmooth as the WindSmooth as the Wind is an album by American trumpeter Blue Mitchell with strings and brass recorded in late 1960 and early 1961 and released on the Riverside label.-Reception:...
(1961; Riverside) - Hank MobleyHank MobleyHenry Mobley was an American hard bop and soul jazz tenor saxophonist and composer. Mobley was described by Leonard Feather as the "middleweight champion of the tenor saxophone", a metaphor used to describe his tone that was neither as aggressive as John Coltrane nor as mellow as Stan Getz...
– Another WorkoutAnother WorkoutAnother Workout is an album by jazz tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley recorded on December 5, 1961 and first released on the Blue Note label in 1986...
(1961; Blue Note) - Milt JacksonMilt JacksonMilton "Bags" Jackson was an American jazz vibraphonist, usually thought of as a bebop player, although he performed in several jazz idioms...
& Wes MontgomeryWes MontgomeryJohn Leslie "Wes" Montgomery was an American jazz guitarist. He is widely considered one of the major jazz guitarists, emerging after such seminal figures as Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian and influencing countless others, including Pat Martino, George Benson, Russell Malone, Emily...
– Bags Meets Wes! (1962; Riverside) - Bill Evans – California Here I ComeCalifornia Here I Come (Bill Evans album)California Here I Come is a 1967 double-album by jazz pianist Bill Evans. It was not released until 1982 and peaked at #12 on the Billboard Jazz Album charts in 1983.Verve reissued California Here I Come on CD in 2004.-Track listing:...
(1967; VerveVerve RecordsVerve Records is an American jazz record label now owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded by Norman Granz in 1956, absorbing the catalogues of his earlier labels, Clef Records and Norgran Records , and material which had been licensed to Mercury previously.-Jazz and folk origins:The Verve...
) - Archie SheppArchie SheppArchie Shepp is a prominent African-American jazz saxophonist. Shepp is best known for his passionately Afrocentric music of the late 1960s, which focused on highlighting the injustices faced by the African-Americans, as well as for his work with the New York Contemporary Five, Horace Parlan, and...
– Archie Shepp & Philly Joe JonesArchie Shepp & Philly Joe JonesArchie Shepp & Philly Joe Jones is an album by jazz saxophonist Archie Shepp and drummer Philly Joe Jones recorded in Europe in 1969 for the America label. The album was also issued by the Fantasy label. The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow states "This intriguing LP does not live up to its potential.....
– (1969; America) - Red GarlandRed GarlandWilliam "Red" Garland was an American hard bop jazz pianist whose block chord style, in part originated by Milt Buckner, influenced many forthcoming pianists in the jazz idiom.-Beginnings:...
– Keystones!Keystones!Keystones! is a jazz album by pianist Red Garland, recorded in 1977 for Xanadu Records at Keystone Korner in San Francisco, CA.-Track listing:#Autumn Leaves#It's Impossible#Daahoud / New York #It's All Right With Me...
(1977; Xanadu RecordsXanadu RecordsXanadu Records was a jazz music record label specializing in bebop throughout the 1970s and 1980s founded by Don Schlitten, recording and issuing recordings by some legendary names in jazz music.-Discography:...
)