Richard M. Jones

Richard M. Jones, born Richard Marigny Jones (sometimes written Richard Mariney Jones), (June 13, 1892 – December 8, 1945) was an American jazz pianist, composer, band leader, and record producer. Numerous songs bear his name as author, including "Trouble in Mind".

He was born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, United States. Jones grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jones suffered from a stiff leg and walked with a limp; fellow musicians gave him the nickname "Richard My Knee Jones" as a pun on his middle name. In his youth he played alto horn in brass bands. His main instrument, however, became the piano. By 1908, he was playing in Storyville, the red-light district of New Orleans. A few years later, he often led a small band which sometimes included Joe Oliver. Jones also worked in the bands of John Robichaux, Armand J. Piron, and Papa Celestin.

In 1918, Jones moved to Chicago, Illinois. He worked as Chicago manager for publisher and pianist Clarence Williams. Jones began recording in 1923, making gramophone records as a piano soloist, accompanist to vocalists, and with his bands The Jazz Wizards and The Chicago Cosmopolitans. He recorded for Gennett, OKeh, Victor, and Paramount Records in the 1920s. He also worked for OKeh Records as Chicago supervisor of the company's "Race" (African-American) Records for most of the decade. During this period he was the producer of the influential Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings led by cornetist (later trumpeter) Louis Armstrong. In the 1930s, Jones performed a similar management role for Decca.

Richard M. Jones worked for Mercury Records until his death in December 1945 in Chicago, at the age of 53.

Birth and Death Data: Born June 13, 1892, Died December 8, 1945 (Chicago)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1925 - 1936

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-100681 10-in. 8/5/1936 Trouble in mind Richard M. Jones Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist  
Victor BS-100682 10-in. 8/5/1936 Black rider Richard M. Jones Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist  
OKeh 9449 10-in. 11/6/1925 Wonderful dream Richard M. Jones Three Jazz Wizards Jazz/dance trio, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh 9720 10-in. 6/15/1926 Street walker blues Bertha Chippie Hill ; Richard M. Jones ; Richard M. Jones’ Jazz Wizards Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
OKeh 9739 10-in. 6/17/1926 John said he saw a number Arizona Dranes ; Richard M. Jones ; Sara Martin Mixed vocal trio, with piano vocalist  
Brunswick E2622-E2623 10-in. 3/10/1926 Sweet Mumtaz Russell's Hot Six Instrumental ensemble, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Decca C 657 (E 3843/E 20252) 10-in. 9/17/1926 Someday sweetheart Dixie Syncopators ; King Oliver vocalist  
Decca C 659 (E 3845/E 20254) 10-in. 9/17/1926 Dead man blues Dixie Syncopators ; King Oliver vocalist  
Decca C 9660 10-in. 1/16/1935 Bring it on home to Grandma Richard M. Jones’ Jazz Wizards vocalist  
Decca C 9661 10-in. 1/16/1935 Blue reefer blues Richard M. Jones’ Jazz Wizards vocalist  
Decca C 9846 10-in. 3/7/1935 Muggin' the blues Richard M. Jones’ Jazz Wizards vocalist  
Decca C 9847 10-in. 3/7/1935 I'm gonna run you down Richard M. Jones’ Jazz Wizards vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Jones, Richard M.," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/324036.

Jones, Richard M.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/324036.

"Jones, Richard M.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/324036

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