A talented and flashy trumpeter, hit upon a formula in 1955 that made him a major attraction for a decade; playing concise versions of melodic swing standards and show tunes muted with a quartet. But although the non-jazz audience discovered during the late '50s, he had already been a very vital trumpeter for two decades. started out playing on a Mississippi riverboat in the 1920s. He freelanced in the Midwest (including with ), was briefly with (1931), had an early stint with (1932-1934), and then spent time with 's short-lived orchestra and the declining . became famous for his playing with 's Onyx club band (1936-1940), recording many exciting solos. He gigged with and and became a star soloist with (1941-1952), staying with the singer even after his big band became a combo. played Dixieland with (1952-1953), toured Europe in 1954 (including a brilliant recording session with ), and then led his quartet at the Embers (1955), hitting upon his very successful formula. His shuffle version of "On the Street Where You Live" was the first of many hits and he recorded a long series of popular albums for Capitol during 1957-1963, switching to Decca for a few more quartet albums in 1965-1967. recorded a fine date with for Chiaroscuro (1972) and still played on an occasional basis in the 1980s and early '90s; he died April 30, 2000, at the age of 91. ~ Scott Yanow

Jones Jonah

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