Vincent
Hugh Jones, 24 March 1954, Paisley, Scotland. In
1955 Jones's family emigrated to Australia and lived
in Wolloongong, New South Wales. The son of a
musician, he was exposed to the jazz greats at an
early age and he began to play trumpet in local
bands. As an admirer of cool jazz he was especially
influenced by Chet Baker and Miles Davis. In 1974
Jones began many years of playing and singing on the
New South Wales club and jazz circuit. In 1982 he
recorded his debut, Watch What Happens, which
featured standards and some original material. The
success of the album enabled him to form a sextet
that played and toured extensively. More recordings
followed, and Jones became a popular festival and
cabaret attraction. In 1990 he accepted an acting
role in the ABC period series, Come In Spinner. The
subsequent album soundtrack of standards, with Jones
and Grace Knight, became a milestone in the
Australian recording industry as the biggest selling
Australian jazz album ever, with sales in excess of
200,000. Jones rejected the commercial and celebrity
opportunities that beckoned, preferring to
concentrate on his own musicality and he released
and produced new albums each year. Standards became
less obvious in his repertoire and originals,
written by himself or band members, became more
prominent. In 1992, he toured Europe with his sextet
which included Barney McAll, Lloyd Swanton and
Andrew Gander. There were concerts in The
Netherlands, Germany, England and at the Montreux
International Jazz Festival. An effective concert
and cabaret performer, Jones's sensitive, almost
tortured persona, complimented the melancholic
nature of his music, which became increasingly more
introspective. In 1992 after the release of
Trustworthy Little Sweethearts, the Jones band
toured Europe to considerable success. When he
returned to Australia Jones retreated to his
isolated farm in rural Victoria to compose new
material. The 1994 album, Future Girl, contained
original material, much of it inspired by his
passion for the environment and conservation. Jones
maintains full control in all aspects of his
recordings and performs only when inclined, but his
fierce independence and dedication to his art has
resulted in a highly original and important body of
work. By the mid-90s he had developed more as a
vocalist who occasionally played the trumpet. His
singing is individual and eloquent, containing
sensitive phrasing and sincerity. In 1996 Jones
worked on a compilation release with EMI Records and
once again toured Europe.
A long time supporter of environmental issues Vince met Tom at a
public meeting on forest issues held at Sydney Town hall in 1999. He
a world renown performer with his soulful jazz and really needs no
introduction. His song is Jettison and his wonderful
personality and support has been a huge help for this project.
