Legendary jazzman Oliver Jones has joined the stars. The composer and pianist, renowned for his extraordinary technical virtuosity, passed away at the venerable age of 91.
Born in Montreal’s Little Burgundy neighbourhood, he studied under Daisy Peterson Sweeney, sister of jazz legend Oscar Peterson, who taught him the fundamentals of classical piano.
Still a child, Oliver Jones carved out a place for himself on Montréal’s nightclub circuit, performing alongside adults and cutting his teeth at the Café St-Michel, an iconic venue for music lovers of the day. He was only nine when he gave his first professional performance there.
Then, in 1964, he embarked on a new chapter as musical director for Kenny Hamilton, a popular Jamaican calypso singer. Jones spent the next 16 years touring with Hamilton, primarily throughout the Caribbean and the United States. Yet he longed to return to jazz.
He finally returned to his first love in the 1980s. It was at around the age of 50 that the solo career he deserved began to take off at last. He quickly started releasing albums that propelled him onto the international stage. The decade proved extraordinarily prolific, and Jones became, alongside Oscar Peterson and Charlie Biddle, one of the most iconic figures of the Montréal jazz scene—and one of Canada’s most internationally renowned and respected jazz musicians.
Over the course of his career, Oliver Jones amassed Félix and JUNO Awards, honorary doctorates, and honours bestowed by the governments of Quebec and Canada. Anyone who saw him perform or listened to his many albums could be left in no doubt: he was a true virtuoso.
He leaves behind an extraordinary musical legacy.
Everyone at SOCAN extends their deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and fans.