surething

Hello all,

does anybody (Wilmer) know what became of Reunald Jones after he had left the Basie Band? AFAIK he played most of the lead parts on the newly reissued Verve sessions that Basie did in the 50's. I always felt these recordings represent some terrific lead playing. As we all know Jones was replaced by the great Snooky Young, and maybe that's why I dont see him mentioned very often. But I really dig his playing with Basie. What do you think?

Marc

wiseone2

After Jonesy left Basie, he worked with Woody Herman and Nat Cole. There is a good listing on allmusic.com of his recording credits.
He plays lead on some of Basie's most famous hits."April in Paris" is a fine example of his sound. The section was Reunald Jones, Wendall Cully, Thad Jones and Joe Newman.
He had a unique way of holding the horn. Jonesy played holding the horn in his right hand. It looked like he was playing one armed, but he held his right elbow with his left hand. It sounds more complicated than it was

His son, who he was very proud of, was Sammy Davis lead trumpet player.
Jonesy Jr. was a member of the Symphony of the New World trumpet section along with Joe Wilder, Leonard Goines and me. It was landmark organization in the sixties. It was an integrated orchestra. Even in NYC that was unheard of.
Both father and son were mothers
Wilmer

__________________
Be sure Brain is engaged before putting Mouthpiece in gear.
S.Suark 1951

Alex Yates

Wilmer, I really enjoy the education I receive from your posts, but I also must say that you have some of the best one-liners. The above is a perfect example.

surething

Wilmer, thanks for the info and the link to allmusic. That's a great site. I had some fun checking out the Jones Boys . Reunald Jones really was a great lead player with style and a BIG sound.
I think I'll try that for the next gig :
[/quote]He had a unique way of holding the horn. Jonesy played holding the horn in his right hand. It looked like he was playing one armed, but he held his right elbow with his left hand.[/quote]
Take care,
Marc

Solar Bell

I spoke with Mike Williams, the Basie Band lead player about Jones. Mike asked Bill Hughes, the Basie Band leader and they came up with Jones being an excellent lead player. Had that unique way of holding the horn
They said he was very regimented and strict in his playing and approach.

He would also show up right on time...if the job started at 8:00, he was there at 8:00 ready to play.

If the gig ended at 10:00, he was out of there at 10:00.

He also had very good technique and did a lot of circus work after the Basie Band gig.
Bill thought he was in the band from around 1952-1958.

-cw-

__________________
Chuck Willard
The Willard of Oz

"Don't be afraid to see what you see."
Ronald Reagan

surething

I've heard that, too. Maybe his attitude had something to do with the sound the Basie Band developed in the early 50's? If you listen to their recording of Neal Hefti's flagwaver "You for Me" (originally on the Verve "Dance-Sessions" album - I couldn't find it in the internet, but it's on the Mosaic reissue), the trumpet section is so incredibly tight. To me, that tune represents some of the best brass section playing in the Basie idiom. Check it out!
Marc

rennyj58

Yo, Reunald was my grandfather and I was told hundreds of times that the way he held his horn was unique. He also used to take me and my brother to the circus to watch him too! My dad ("Bo") was the Jr., and I'm the third ("Renny").

Solar Bell

Renny!

Welcome to the TrumpetMaster site.

It's good to have you here!

We hope you stick around!

-cw-

__________________
Chuck Willard
The Willard of Oz

"Don't be afraid to see what you see."
Ronald Reagan

wiseone2

Your Dad, Reunald Jr., and I were part of a historic concert. We were in the trumpet section of The Symphony of the New World. This orchestra was the dream of some very heavyweight New York musicians.
Their dream was to have an orchestra with no color lines. At the time, 1965, there were maybe 5 black players in the symphony orchestras of America.
A concert was given at Carnegie Hall with an orchestra that was completely integrated.
Joe Wilder, Dr. Leonard Goines, your dad and I were the trumpet section of the orchestra.
We played Petroushka on that concert.........I played the final muted section on the D trumpet.
Jonsey was a super trumpet player.
Wilmer

__________________
Be sure Brain is engaged before putting Mouthpiece in gear.
S.Suark 1951

tpter1

My gosh, I love this place. Hearing (ok, reading) these stories first hand is just priceless.

__________________
-Glenn
"Roses have thorns; shining waters mud. Clouds and eclipses stain the moon and the sun; and history reeks of the wrongs we have done. After today, after today, consider me gone."- Sting