American trumpeter, cornetist, french horn player, composer, and arranger.
Born March 28, 1923, in Pontiac, Michigan, USA; died of cancer on August, 21, 1986, in Copenhagen, Denmark.
His elder brother is pianist Hank Jones, and his young brother is drummer Elvin Jones.

He performed in Arcadia Club Band at age sixteen; 1941 performed in Connie Connell’s band; served in U.S. Army 1943-1946; worked with the band of Charles Young (circa 1946-1948); led own quintet in Detroit; worked in the bands of Candy Johnson and Jimmy Taylor; performed at Blue Bird Inn, Detroit 1952-1954; joined the Count Basie Band in 1954 and performed with Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop; left the Basie Band and in 1963 worked briefly as a CBS staff arranger; co-led Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra 1965-1978; led the Danish Radio Orchestra and taught at the Royal Conservatory; 1980 taught Jazz Seminar in Barcelona, Spain; rejoined the Basie Band in 1985.