British reed player (clarinet, baritone sax). Jones worked around the East London area with bands such as Charlie Galbraith's before joining Kenny Ball's newly formed band in 1959. There, his fruity, substantial tone, superior technique, powerful sound and driving approach became one of the strongest points of Ball's strong frontline, and helped to establish a new high standard for British Dixieland. Jones' clarinet was heard on all the Kenny Ball hits from I Love You Samantha onward, and he became a star with an international reputation. After he left Ball in 1965 he became a freelance, worked with The Kinks (on baritone saxophone), and played locally on the Dixieland scene with friends including Galbraith, Mike Cotton, Pat Mason and Bill Nile: he also subbed for Acker Bilk. In the 1970's he was often heard with Ron Russell's small group (featuring Keith Ingham, Pete Strange and Digby Fairweather) and from the later 1980's played regularly for Laurie Chescoe's band, his superlative technique and creativity undiminished thirty years after the trad boom.

(From The Rough Guide To Jazz, entry by Digby Fairweather)