Philly Joe Jones

Philly Joe Jones moved to New York in 1947 and became the house drummer at Cafe Society and played with a who's who of bop artists including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Fats Navarro. He went onto to tour and record with Miles Davis Quintet from 1955 to 1958 playing on multiple albums including Milestones, Porgy and Bess, Someday My Prince Will Come and The Musings of Miles. . It was no secret that he was Miles’ favorite drummer, and stories are told of Miles telling his later drummers “Try to play like Philly Joe.”  

From 1958 Jones worked as a leader releasing almost 20 albums into the 1980s and continued to work as a sideman with other musicians including  John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Chet Baker, Sonny Clark, Red Garland, Benny Golson, Dextor Gordon, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry and many others. He toured with Bill Evans in 1976 and 1978 and recorded for Galaxy in 1977–79. He also played on the legendary “Gretsch Drum Night at Birdland” record alongside Art Blakey, Charlie Persip and Elvin Jones.   

Jones used Gretsch drums from 1941 through to 1963. He played a Gretsch Broadkaster during the early part of his career and in the late 50s early 60s went onto use a Gretsch Round Badge (early USA Custom) kit.