Isham Jones
Isham Jones was an influential American musician, bandleader, and songwriter born on January 31, 1894, in Coalton, Ohio. Raised in Saginaw, Michigan, Jones came from a musical family, which fostered his early interest in music. He learned to play the violin, piano, string bass, and tenor saxophone, leading his first band as a teenager for church functions. In 1915, Jones moved to Chicago, where he quickly established himself in the music scene, performing at venues like the Green Mill Gardens and Rainbo Gardens.
Jones was a pioneer of the tenor saxophone and a prolific composer, contributing several standards to the Great American Songbook. His compositions include "We're in the Army Now," "Wabash Blues," "On the Alamo," "Swinging Down the Lane," "Spain," "I'll See You in My Dreams," and the arrangement of "Stardust." His band, Isham Jones and his Orchestra, was one of the most popular dance bands of the 1920s and 1930s, known for sophisticated arrangements and hit recordings.
Throughout his career, Jones recorded for major labels like Brunswick, Victor, and Decca, and collaborated with notable musicians such as Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, and Bing Crosby. Despite his success, Jones was known for his reserved demeanor. He eventually retired to a farm in Colorado and later moved to Florida, where he passed away from cancer on October 19, 1956. His legacy includes induction into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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