Little Johnny Jones (pianist)
| Little Johnny Jones | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Johnnie Jones |
| Born |
November 1, 1924 Jackson, Mississippi, United States |
| Died | November 19, 1964 (aged 40) Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genres | Blues |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano, harmonica |
| Years active | 1946–1964 |
| Associated acts | Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Tampa Red |
Little Johnny Jones (born Johnnie Jones, November 1, 1924 – November 19, 1964) was an American Chicago blues pianist and singer, best known for his work with Tampa Red, Muddy Waters and Elmore James.
Jones was born in Jackson, Mississippi, United States, in 1924, and was a cousin of Otis Spann. He arrived in Chicago in 1945 in the company of Little Walter and "Baby Face" Leroy Foster and soon replaced pianist Big Maceo Merriweather in Tampa Red's band after Merriweather suffered a stroke, which paralysed his right hand. Like several other Chicago pianists of his era, his style was heavily influenced by that of Merriweather, from whom he had learned and for whom he played piano after Merriweather's stroke.
Jones later backed Muddy Waters on harmonica and recorded a session (on piano and vocals) with Waters for in 1949. He also played on ten sessions with Tampa Red for the Victor label between 1949 and 1953. From 1952 to 1956 he played and recorded with Elmore James, and also played on sessions by Albert King, Jimmy Rogers and others, as well as occasionally recording under his own name. In later years he worked with Howlin' Wolf, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells, and Magic Sam, among others.
Popular with audiences, Jones was a heavy drinker and had a reputation as a wild character. According to Homesick James, who worked and toured with them in the 1950s, "Elmore and Johnnie used to just have a fight every night". His 1949 Aristocrat side "Big Town Playboy" is regarded as a classic of the genre, and was covered by the guitarist Eddie Taylor in 1955.
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