Little Sonny Jones

Little Sonny Jones
Birth name Johnny Jones
Born (1931-04-15)April 15, 1931
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Died December 17, 1989(1989-12-17) (aged 58)
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Genres New Orleans blues[1]
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active Late 1940s–1989
Labels Black Top
Associated acts Fats Domino

Little Sonny Jones (April 15, 1931 – December 17, 1989) was an American New Orleans blues singer and songwriter.[1] Over his lengthy career, Jones worked with various blues musicians, most notably Fats Domino.

He is not to be confused with fellow blues musicians, Little Sonny nor Little Sonny Warner.

Biography

He was born Johnny Jones in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, and started singing professionally in the late 1940s. He befriended Fats Domino and, whilst working together, was given his nickname by Domino. In 1953 he released his debut single, "Do You Really Love Me" / "Is Everything Allright?", on Specialty. Jones recorded a further four songs for Imperial in 1954, which were produced by Dave Bartholomew, but all releases failed to find a commercial market. His connection with Domino endured and, up to 1961, Jones remained as Domino's opening act.[1][2] Jones tracks included the blues standard, "Farther Up the Road".

Jones was employed as the vocalist by a New Orleans based band led by the brothers, David and Melvin Lastie, until the late 1960s.[1] Jones also had regular employment at a sugar factory.[3] He returned to the recording studio in 1975, and issued his album, New Orleans R&B Gems, initially on the Netherlands based Black Magic label.[1] With contributions from veteran musicians including Dave "Fat Man" Williams, the record faithfully copied the R&B style and sound of the 1950s. It was re-issued in 1995 by Black Top.[4]

Jones was a regular performer at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.[1]

In December 1989, Jones died of heart failure in New Orleans, at the age of 58.[1]

Discography

Album title Record label Original year of release
New Orleans R&B Gems Black Top (re-issue in 1995) 1975

[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bill Dahl. "Little Sonny Jones". Allmusic. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
  2. ↑ Coleman, Rick (2006). Blue Monday: Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock 'n' Roll (1st ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Da Capo Press. p. 69. ISBN 0-306-81531-1.
  3. ↑ Amos, Edward (2002). Gravesites of Southern musicians (1st ed.). United States: McFarland Press. p. 17. ISBN 0-7864-1270-4.
  4. 1 2 Bill Dahl. "New Orleans R&B Gems – Little Sonny Jones | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
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