Sam Jones' father was a pianist, but Sam studied guitar and played drums during his school years. He took up the double bass (1945), made his debut as a musician, and led a rhythm'n'blues band (1947-1948). He moved to New York in 1949. In 1953, he was hired in Cincinnati by Tiny Bradshaw as a bassist, with whom he recorded. From this point on, Sam Jones entered the bebop scene, joining Julius Watkins and Charlie Rouse's group Jazz Modes (1955). He went on to play with the Jazz Prophets, a group formed by Kenny Dorham after his stint with the Jazz Messengers. It was with the Adderley brothers' quintet (1956-1957) that Sam Jones began to make a name for himself. He went on to play with Dizzy Gillespie (1958-1959) and Thelonious Monk (1959). In 1960, he recorded under his own name, on double bass and cello ("The Soul Society"). He returned for a time to the Adderley brothers' new sextet (1959-1966). When Ray Brown left the Oscar Peterson trio, Sam Jones took over (1966-1970). From then on, he played mostly as a freelance musician, accompanying numerous pianists such as Bobby Timmons, Wynton Kelly and Duke Jordan. In 1977, he stealthily led a large band with Tom Harrell. He died of cancer on December 15, 1981.
