Philly Joe Jones

Philly Joe Jones

Philly Joe Jones (1923–1985), hard-swinging drummer of Miles Davis’s First Great Quintet, fused rudimental snare craft, explosive press rolls and singing ride-cymbal time. Hear him on ’Round About Midnight and the Prestige classics—Cookin’, Relaxin’, Workin’, Steamin’. Later he led dates (Blues for Dracula), worked with Bill Evans and Dexter Gordon, and helped revive Tadd Dameron’s music with Dameronia.