Of absolutely no relation to the weirdo who passed out the poisoned drinks, this Jim Jones is a banjo player and a much happier person. According to him, all banjo players are happy -- he has been quoted thusly at any rate, but it is possible Jones' glee comes from the fact that he is retired. Based in Cypress, CA, Jones previously had a career as an engineer. Always a fan of traditional jazz, Jones' involvement with the music itself stepped up measurably after retirement. He began performing in several bands, including the Purdue Salty Dogs Jazz Band and the Crazy Rhythm Hot Society Orchestra, an 11-piece outfit leader Mike Henebry based on the many hotel and ballroom orchestras that held forth in the '20s and '30s.

The latter group has provided recorded documentation of Jones' stylish performances on the 1995 CD entitled One Hour With You. In much the manner of an old-fashioned big-band frontman, Jones takes care of MC chores as well as crooning; his talents on banjo mean that he has plenty to do during the instrumental arrangements as well. Behind the scenes, Jones contributes much in the way of repertoire to the groups he is involved with. He collects old sheet music and orchestrations to the extent that the floorboards have begun to sink in his mansion. Jones has served on the board of the American Federation of Jazz Societies. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, All Music Guide see full bio >>

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