Johnny Jones

In 40 brief years on the planet, Johnny Jones established himself among the ideal piano players ever to inhabit the Chicago blues picture. Most widely known for his rock-solid accompaniment to glide guitarist Elmore Adam both in the studio room so when an onstage person in Adam’ Broomdusters, “Small Johnny” also waxed a small number of terrific sides being a head. Jones found its way to Chicago from Mississippi in 1946 well-versed in the 88s. Inspired significantly by pianist Big Maceo Merriwether, Jones implemented him into Tampa Red’s music group in 1947 after Maceo experienced a heart stroke. Johnny Jones’s abilities were soon popular being a sideman — furthermore to moving the ivories behind Tampa Crimson for RCA Victor from 1949 to 1953, he supported Muddy Waters on his 1949 traditional “Screamin’ and Cryin'” and afterwards appeared on edges by Howlin’ Wolf. But it’s Elmore Adam that he’ll permanently be connected with; the essential pianist performed on James’s halcyon 1952-56 Chicago periods for the Bihari brothers’ Meteor, Flair, and Contemporary logos, in addition to schedules for Checker, Key, and Fireplace. The Broomdusters (curved out by saxist J.T. Dark brown and drummer Odie Payne, Jr.) held down a normal berth on the Western world Side blues membership Sylvio’s for five years. When he got the opportunity to sit down behind a mike, Jones’s insinuating vocal delivery was similarly enthralling. Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, and Leroy Foster supported Jones on his 1949 Aristocrat label traditional “Big City Playboy” (afterwards revived by Eddie Taylor, another unsung Chicago hero), while Elmore Adam and saxist J.T. Dark brown were readily available for Jones’s 1953 Flair coupling “I MIGHT Be Incorrect”/”Sweet Little Female” (the second option a wonderfully risqué “dozens” quantity). The rocking “Hoy Hoy,” his last industrial single, was carried out in 1953 for Atlantic and in addition featured Wayne and his group in support. Jones continuing to work within the night clubs (with Wolf, Sonny Young man Williamson, Syl Johnson, Billy Young man Arnold, and Magic Sam, amongst others) ahead of his 1964 loss of life of lung malignancy. Ironically, Jones was apparently the very first cousin of another Chicago piano great, Otis Spann.