Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Jonah Jones Quartet: Jumpin with Jonah

Jonah Jones Quartet: Jumpin with Jonah

By Dave Nathan
November 1, 2000
Sign in to view read count

Jazz gurus (self appointed or otherwise) typically dismiss Jonah Jones as a piece of fluff, more interested in dispensing sterilized jazz pablum to the public rather than being creative and innovative. Jones decided not to climb on the Be Bop train of the 1940's and 1950's, pretty much ignoring the new paths being struck by fellow trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. I always suspected that Jones' choice to stick with swing and traditional jazz rankled those same gurus who felt that his talent demanded he do more.

On Jumpin' with Jonah Capital Records has cobbled together quartet sessions cut in 1958 in New York under the production leadership of Dave Cavanaugh. With the quartet at that time was Hank Jones (no relation, as Jonah was not one of the famous Jones' jazz brothers), who shows his amazing pianist versatility. Listen to Hank have some bar room piano fun on "That's A Plenty" while Jonah swings mightily on this 1909 ditty. Although not given enough credit for it, Jones could do ballad pretty well. He plays and sings the tune Louis Armstrong made famous, "A Kiss to Build a Dream" on with appropriate fervor. Jones wisely doesn't try to copy Armstrong (he didn't have the equipment), instead relying on his understated form of vocalizing. The vocal is followed by a leisurely, pleasant trumpet solo, with mute. Jones was quite adept with the mute as on "The Blues Don't Care (Who's Got `Em)" distorting his bright shouting sound with raucous growls to create an exaggerated sense of the blues.

Even though less than 40 minutes worth of music, this recommended album is important to show that one doesn't need to blaze new paths to be a significant jazz player.

Track Listing

No Moon at All; Baby, Won't You Please Come Home#; Bill Bailey (Won't You Please Come Home); The Blues Don't Care (Who Got `Em); Jumpin' with Jonah; Just a Gigolo; It's a Good Day#; Dance only with Me; Lots of Luck Charley; A Kiss to Build a Dream on; That's A Plenty#; Moten Swing; Slowly But Surely; Night Train; Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?; Ballin' the Jack

Personnel

Jonah Jones Quartet

Jonah Jones - Trumpet/Vocals#; Hank Jones - Piano; John Brown - Bass; Harold Austin - Drums

Album information

Title: Jumpin with Jonah | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Capitol Records

< Previous
Gunther Schuller Turns 75!

Next >
Meet Lynne Arriale

Comments

About Jonah Jones Quartet

Tags

For the Love of Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.