* En anglais uniquement
A fine section trumpeter who worked steadily throughout his career both in big bands and in the studios,
Reunald Jones rarely took any solos after the mid-'30s. After attending the Michigan Conservatory,
Jones played with local bands in the Midwest including Speed Webb in 1930.
Jones had associations with many orchestras during the '30s and 40s, including Charlie Johnson,
the Savoy Bearcats,
Fess Williams,
Chick Webb (1933-1934 during which time he took some of his few recorded solos), Sam Wooding,
Claude Hopkins,
Willie Bryant,
Teddy Hill,
Don Redman (1936-1938),
Erskine Hawkins,
Duke Ellington (two months in 1946),
Jimmie Lunceford,
Lucky Millinder, and
Sy Oliver. He was the lead trumpeter with
Count Basie during 1952-1957, which brought him some fame, but
Jones was never really featured. In addition to extensive studio work, he toured with
Woody Herman (1959), played with a short-lived
George Shearing big band, and was in the orchestra that accompanied
Nat King Cole (1961-1964).
Jones became less active in the '70s. His wide range and fine tone kept him working, but also resulted in
Reunald Jones (who never led his own record date) being mostly confined to background work, despite possessing a fine swing-based solo style. ~ Scott Yanow