RICHARD M JONES JAZZ WIZARDS

Biography

Richard M. Jones, born Richard Marigny Jones on June 13, 1892, in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, was a pioneering American jazz pianist, composer, band leader, and record producer. Raised in New Orleans in a musical family, Jones initially played alto horn in brass bands before switching to piano, which became his primary instrument. By 1908, he was performing in Storyville, the famed red-light district of New Orleans, and soon began leading his own bands, collaborating with notable local musicians such as Joe "King" Oliver, John Robichaux, Armand J. Piron, and Papa Celestin.[3][4]

In 1918, Jones relocated to Chicago, a major center for jazz during the Great Migration. There, he managed the Chicago branch of Clarence Williams' publishing company and became a key figure in the city's jazz scene. Jones began recording in 1923, both as a solo pianist and with his bands, most notably The Jazz Wizards and The Chicago Cosmopolitans. He recorded for several major labels, including Gennett, OKeh, Victor, and Paramount, and served as the Chicago supervisor for OKeh Records' "Race" (African-American) Records division, where he produced influential sessions such as Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings.[3][4][2]

Jones' musical style blended ragtime, blues, and early jazz, characterized by expressive piano playing and innovative band arrangements. He continued his work as a musician, producer, and talent scout throughout the 1930s, holding management roles at Decca and Mercury Records until his death in Chicago on December 8, 1945. His legacy endures through compositions like "Trouble in Mind" and "Riverside Blues," and his impact as a mentor and producer helped shape the development of jazz in both New Orleans and Chicago.[3][2][4]

Fun Facts

• Jones suffered from a stiff leg and walked with a limp, earning him the nickname 'Richard My Knee Jones' as a pun on his middle name.[3][4]
• He was the composer of the jazz standard 'Trouble in Mind,' which has been widely covered and remains influential.[3][2]
• Jones produced the first recordings of Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven, which are considered foundational to jazz history.[3][4]
• His Jazz Wizards band featured a rotating lineup of top Chicago jazz musicians, including Johnny St. Cyr and Albert Nicholas.[6]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• John Robichaux - Jones played in Robichaux's band early in his career, absorbing New Orleans ensemble traditions. (Live performances in Storyville) [circa 1908-1918]
• Armand J. Piron - Jones performed in Piron's Olympia Orchestra, gaining exposure to orchestral jazz arrangements. (Olympia Orchestra performances) [1910s]
• Papa Celestin - Jones played with Celestin's band during World War I, learning from a foundational New Orleans bandleader. (Live performances) [1914-1918]

Key Collaborators

• Joe "King" Oliver - Jones led bands that sometimes included Oliver, a major figure in early jazz. (The Four Hot Hounds, Storyville bands) [1908-1918]
• Johnny St. Cyr - Banjoist in Jones' Jazz Wizards and Three Jazz Wizards groups. (Richard M. Jones' Jazz Wizards, Three Jazz Wizards recordings) [1920s]
• Albert Nicholas - Clarinetist in Jones' Jazz Wizards and Three Jazz Wizards. (Richard M. Jones' Jazz Wizards, Three Jazz Wizards recordings) [1920s]
• Clarence Williams - Jones managed Williams' Chicago publishing branch and collaborated on music publishing and recording. (Chicago branch management, joint recordings) [1918-1920s]
• Louis Armstrong - Jones produced Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven sessions for OKeh Records. (Hot Five, Hot Seven recordings) [1925-1928]

Artists Influenced

• Louis Armstrong - Jones' production and support at OKeh Records helped launch Armstrong's solo career. (Hot Five, Hot Seven recordings) [1925-1928]
• Lillie Delk Christian - Jones accompanied and produced recordings for Christian, influencing her vocal style. (OKeh recordings) [1920s]

Discography

Top Tracks

1. Sports Model Mama (Chicago Urban Blues)
2. Jazzin' babies blues (Chicago South Side 1923-1930)
3. 29th & Dearborn (Rare Cuts - Well Done, Vol. 1)
4. 29th & Dearborn - Alternate Take (Rare Cuts - Well Done, Vol. 1)
5. New Orleans Hop Scop Blues - Take 1 (Rare Cuts - Well Done, Vol. 1)
6. New Orleans Hop Scop Blues - Take 2 (Rare Cuts - Well Done, Vol. 1)
7. Jazzin' Babies' Blues (Rare Cuts - Well Done, Vol. 1)
8. Canal Street Blues (Rare Cuts - Well Done, Vol. 1)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia