New York & New Orleans: A Cross-cultural Analysis of Women in Jazz

Etta Jones

Etta Jones was a gifted jazz singer of the 20th century. She performed in a time in which men dominated the jazz industry. Her persistence and love for music allowed her to continue to perform and teach jazz throughout her life. Etta Jones will forever have a lasting impact on the city of New York and the world of jazz.
Jones was born in Aiken, South Carolina in 1928 but her family moved to Harlem, New York soon after. Starting at 3 years old, Jones would sing along to artists such as Count Basie and Duke Ellington. But it was a Billie Holiday concert that had profound affect on Jones and made her realize she needed to be a singer. Billie Holiday was a powerful female jazz performer that Jones greatly looked up to. Music only became more involved in Jones’ life when her family moved to Harlem.
The musical city of Harlem inspired Jones and strengthened her interest in becoming an artist. By the age of 16, Jones joined Buddy Johnson’s band for a nationwide tour. It was a tremendous experience for Jones. She played at venues, big and small, across the country. Although Jones was not featured on the record, the band enabled her to inherit quite a following in the United States, primarily the East Coast. In 1947, she recorded and released an early cover version of “I Sold My Heart to the Junkman” by Leon Rene. Jones continued to thrive throughout the mid-twentieth century. In 1960, Jones was up for a Grammy nomination for “Don’t Go To Strangers.”
 
This hit really skyrocketed her career. Jones recalled how her friends and her were amazed every time the song came on the jukebox or radio. She was later nominated for two more Grammys, one in 1981 and one in 1999. Jones continued to play in venues throughout the country but mostly sticking to New York City. That is when her career with Houston Person took off. Preston was a jazz tenor saxophonist and record producer. Their partnership lasted 30 years and made it so the last 20 years of Jones’ life were met with unprecedented productivity.
Etta Jones died at 72 on October 16th, 2001. Her final recording, a tribute to Billie Holiday, was released 57 years later on Jones’ death. Jones battled cancer for a few years until the disease fully took over. Her music was incredibly influential and inspiring during a time of gender and racial divides. Although Jones does not the credit and fame she deserves, her reputation lives on in the musical streets of Harlem. 

Attached is a transcript of an interview between Monk Rowe and Etta Jones.

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