Reunald Jones Sr.
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Reunald Jones Sr. (December 22, 1910 - February 26, 1989), was a jazz trumpeter who worked steadily throughout his career, both in big bands and in the studios.
Jones was born in Indianapolis. After attending the Michigan Conservatory, he played with local bands in the Midwest including Speed Webb in 1930.
Jones had associations with many orchestras during the 1930's and 40's including Charlie Johnson, the Savoy Bearcats, Fess Williams, Chick Webb (1933-34 during which time he took some of his few recorded solos), Sam Wooding, Claude Hopkins, Willie Bryant, Teddy Hill, Don Redman (1936-38), Erskine Hawkins, Duke Ellington (two months in 1946), Jimmie Lunceford, Lucky Millinder and Sy Oliver.
Reunald Jones rarely took any solos after the mid-1930's.
He was the lead trumpeter with the Count Basie Orchestra during 1952-57 which gave him some fame due to his "one-handed" solo style of playing, but Jones was never really featured.
However, Jones was featured as a member of the Quincy Jones group, "The Jones Boys" (56-58), a session conceived by Leonard Feather featuring a number of musicians named "Jones," though none of them were related.
In addition to extensive studio work, Jones toured with Woody Herman (1959), played with a short-lived George Shearing big band and was in the orchestra that accompanied Nat King Cole (1961-64).
Jones became less active in the 1970's. His wide range and fine tone kept him working but also resulted in Reunald Jones mostly being confined to background work despite him possessing a fine swing-based solo style.
