Eddie Jones is best-known for his long period with Count Basie's Orchestra in the 1950s. Coincidentally, he grew up in Red Bank, New Jersey near Basie's home, although Basie had left the area years earlier. He studied music at Howard University and gained experience working with Sarah Vaughan and Lester Young. Jones was a music teacher in South Carolina during 1951-1952 before joining Count Basie's Orchestra in 1953. He stayed for nine years, recording extensively with Basie and appearing on many small group sessions not only with Basie's sidemen (including Joe Newman, Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Thad Jones, and Ernie Wilkins) but ones led by Milt Jackson, Coleman Hawkins, and Putte Wickman, among others. In 1962, Jones left music to work at IBM (later becoming vice-president of an insurance company). Jones returned to playing on a part-time basis in the '80s, appearing occasionally in mainstream and swing settings. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi