Rufus "Speedy" Jones
Rufus "Speedy" Jones | |
---|---|
Born | Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. | May 27, 1936
Died | April 25, 1990 | (aged 53)
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument | Drums |
Years active | 1950s–1990 |
Rufus "Speedy" Jones (May 27, 1936 – April 25, 1990) was an American jazz drummer from Charleston, South Carolina.
Starting out on trumpet, Rufus switched to drums at the age of 13. He got an early start in 1954 with Lionel Hampton before being drafted. While stationed at Fort Jackson, Rufus played in a quintet every Saturday night at the black United Service Organization clubhouse in Columbia. He later played with Red Allen and Maynard Ferguson's Orchestra (1959–1963). He led a quintet from 1963 to 1964, producing for Cameo Records his only album as a leader. Jones gained fame for his flamboyant work with Count Basie and Woody Herman in the mid-1960s and backed that up with Duke Ellington in the latter half of the decade. He also appeared with James Brown.[citation needed]
Rufus' son, Lebrew, was sentenced in 1989 to 22 years to life for the murder of Michaelanne Hall, a prostitute in New York City. He was released on parole on November 19, 2009 after significant doubts were raised about his guilt.[1]
Discography
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As leader
- Five on Eight (Cameo, 1964)
As sideman
With Count Basie
- Basie's Beat (Verve, 1967)
With Duke Ellington
- The Far East Suite (RCA Victor, 1966)
- Latin American Suite (Fantasy, 1968)
- 70th Birthday Concert (Solid State Records, 1970)
- New Orleans Suite (Atlantic, 1970)
- The Afro-Eurasian Eclipse (Fantasy, 1971)
With Maynard Ferguson
- Let's Face the Music and Dance (Roulette, 1960)
- Maynard '61 (Roulette, 1961)
- Double Exposure (Atlantic, 1961) with Chris Connor
- Two's Company (Roulette, 1961) with Chris Connor
- "Straightaway" Jazz Themes (Roulette, 1961)
- Maynard '62 (Roulette, 1962)
- Si! Si! M.F. (Roulette, 1962)
- Maynard '63 (Roulette, 1962)
- Message from Maynard (Roulette, 1962)
- Maynard '64 (Roulette, 1959-62 [1963])
- The New Sounds of Maynard Ferguson (Cameo, 1963)
- Come Blow Your Horn (Cameo, 1963)
With Al Grey
- Shades of Grey (Tangerine, 1965)
With Woody Herman
- With Johnny Hodges
- Triple Play (RCA Victor, 1967)
References
- ^ Pertel, John. "Waiting 22 years for this moment". Times Herald-Record. Retrieved 4 May 2011.