Monday, March 11, 2013

Little Sonny Jones- New Orleans R&B Gems

Little Sonny Jones (April 15, 1931 – December 17, 1989) was an American New Orleans blues singer and songwriter. 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. 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. Jones also had regular employment at a sugar factory. 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. 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.

Jones was a regular performer at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
In December 1989, Jones died of heart failure in New Orleans, at the age of 58.

6 comments:

KingCake said...

http://www.embedupload.com/?d=9UKRCGYHUY

pmac said...

Saw him perform several times at Jazz fest. Great voice. Died waay too young, and deserved wider recognition.

poppachubby said...

This looks right up my alley KC. '50s NOLA R&B!?!?!?! Oh hell yeah!!!

GuitarGus said...

Thanks KC

At present I have a large backlog of stuff I have to get round to listening to (purchases and d/ls)
including some of your posts - So great to have this as you know I love all things NO - Will try to comment as I get to hear these interesting posts
Cheers

poppachubby said...

Had a listen this afternoon, great stuff. Nothing groundbreaking, but solid throughout and that's enough for me. Definitely my kind of tunes... thanks KC.

beetee said...

thanks King. anything nola is worth a listen. especially liked the slower numbers

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