Leonard Jones, born 1943 in Chicago, Illinois, grew up in a rich musical environment on the westside of the city that has had an everlasting impression on his career. His family lived above Vi´s Lounge where many blues artist, such as Muddy Waters, Howlin´ Wolf and Bo Diddley, etc., regularly appeared in the 1950´s. The famous Zansibar Lounge* was also located in the neighborhood just two blocks away.
At age seventeen Jones volunteered for the U.S. Army and after being stationed in Germany, he purchased his first double bass, and received rudimentary instruction from a bassist in the Army band that was also stationed on the same barracks. After being discharged in 1963, he returned to Chicago and began private studies with Mr. Rudolf Fahsbender, bassist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, later, at the Chicago Conservatory of Music, with same. During this period he became acquinted with Muhal Richard Abrams with whom he studied Music theory and participated as a member of the Experimental Band, under Abrams leadership. In June 1965, he became a member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, shortly after its inception.
In 1969, Jones returned to Germany, where he worked as a musician and from 1970 – 1972, studied photography on the Hoch Schule für Bildende Kunst (art academy). In the summer of 1974 he returned to Chicago, worked with AACM groups and other local groups. He left again in 1977, as a member of Muhal Richard Abrams´ Quintet to live and work in New York, until 1980 when he returned to Germany. In the 80´s and 90´s he has toured in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, performing on Festivals, etc., with Mal Waldron, Sun Ra, Dave Burrell, Lou Blackburn, Hank Crawford and David Newman, Sunny Simmons and others. Jones has also been involved since the 90´s with Rhythm and Blues and Gospel music constellations and ,as well as, theater productions.
Over the last years he has turned his attention to a revived interest in photography and has developed an interest for the construction of internet websites
Leonard Jones has performed and / or recorded with:
Henry Threadgill, Muhal Richard Abrams, Wadada Leo Smith, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Paul Winter, Joseph Jarman, Lester Bowie, Hannibal Marvin Petersen, Oliver Lake, Chico Freeman, Amina Claudine Myers, Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, Anthony Braxton, Clifford Jordan, George Braithe, Jack Walrath and Mike Clark, Lou Blackburn´s International Quartet and Mombasa, Lesek Zadlo, Hermann Breuer, Frank St. Peter, Hank Crawford and David Newman, Sun Ra, Dave Burrell, Woody Shaw, Paul Grabowsky, Mal Waldron, Gene "Mighty Flea" Conners (Quartet and The American Gospel Caravan), Doug Hammond, Sonny Simmons, Marty Cook, Alvin Queen, Gunter Klatt, Allen Praskin, Manhatten Plaza Big Band,The Great Black Music Ensemble Chicago, George Lewis, John C. Marshall, Moo Lohkenn with Lou Grassi and Tom Nicholas.
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