Isham Jones
| Isham Jones | |
|---|---|
Isham Jones, 1922
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Isham Edgar Jones |
| Born |
January 31, 1894 Coalton, Ohio, United States |
| Origin | Saginaw, Michigan |
| Died | October 19, 1956 (aged 62) Hollywood, Florida, United States |
| Genres | Dance band |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, bandleader, songwriter |
| Instruments | Piano, saxophone |
| Years active | 1911–1938 |
| Labels | Brunswick, Victor, Decca, ARC |
| Associated acts | Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Walt Yoder, Roy Bargy |
Isham Edgar Jones (January 31, 1894 – October 19, 1956) was an American bandleader, saxophonist, bassist and songwriter.
Jones was born in Coalton, Ohio, to a musical and mining family, and grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, where he started his first band. In 1911 one of Jones's earliest compositions "On the Alamo" was published by Tell Taylor Inc. (Taylor had formed a publishing company the year before when his song "Down by the Old Mill Stream" became a hit.)
In 1915 Jones moved to Chicago, Illinois. He performed at the Green Mill Gardens, then began playing at Fred Mann's Rainbo Gardens. Chicago remained his home until 1932, when he settled in New York City. He also toured England with his orchestra in 1925.
In 1917, he composed the tune "We're In The Army Now" (known as well "You're In the Army Now") when United States entered the World War I. The same tune has been popular well again during the World War II and it's played even by US Army Band.
The Isham Jones band made a series of popular gramophone records for Brunswick throughout the 1920s. His first 26 sides, made at Rainbo Gardens, were credited to "Isham Jones Rainbo Orchestra". By the end of 1920, the name was simply "Isham Jones Orchestra".
He led one of the most popular dance bands in the 1920s and 1930s. His first successful recording, "Wabash Blues" written by Dave Ringle and Fred Meinken, was recorded in 1921 by "Isham Jones and his Orchestra". This million-seller stayed for twelve weeks in the U.S. charts, six at No. 1. It was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. Noted musicians who played in Jones's band included Louis Panico, Benny Goodman (although no records were made during the short time he was there), Woody Herman, Walt Yoder, and Roy Bargy. Reed virtuoso Al Gallodoro appeared briefly with Jones in 1933, taking part in a record date October 3.
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