About
Jonathan David Samuel Jones (October 7, 1911 – September 3, 1985) was an American jazz drummer. A band leader and pioneer in jazz percussion, Jones anchored the Count Basie Orchestra rhythm section from 1934 to 1948. He was sometimes known as Papa Jo Jones to distinguish him from younger drummer Philly Joe Jones.
Member of
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Kansas City Five drums (drum set)
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Kansas City Six drums (drum set)
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Jazz Artists Guild drums (drum set)
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Jones‐Smith, Incorporated drums (drum set)
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Count Basie Band drums (drum set)
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The Jones Boys drums (drum set)
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The Blues Band drums (drum set)
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Earl Hines Quartet drums (drum set)
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The Jimmy Rushing All Stars drums (drum set)
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The Nat Pierce Orchestra drums (drum set)
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Max Kaminsky & His All Star Dixieland Band drums (drum set)
Discography
Albums
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Dale's Wail
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The Jo Jones Special
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The Oscar Peterson Trio at Newport
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Jo Jones Trio
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Percussion and Bass
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Vamp 'til Ready Apple Music
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Midnight Slows, Vol 5
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Midnight Slows, Vol. 4
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The Main Man
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Jo Jones
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Our Man, Papa Jo!
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Jo Jones Trio
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The Main Man
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New Orleans Dixieland
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Jo Jones Special Septet
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The Drums
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Caravan
Links
Also known as
Jonathan David Samuel Jones · Papa Jo Jones
Identifiers
- MusicBrainz
- ceda2457-e16f-4938-a276-af854b20b22a
- ISNI
- 0000000080783164
Data from MusicBrainz, saved 7 Nov 2026. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, covers from the Cover Art Archive and Apple Music.