Rufus "Speedy" Jones

Rufus "Speedy" Jones (May 27, 1936 – April 25, 1990) was an American jazz drummer from Charleston, South Carolina.

Born(1936-05-27)May 27, 1936

Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.

DiedApril 25, 1990(1990-04-25) (aged 53)

GenresJazz

OccupationMusician

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Rufus "Speedy" Jones
Jones playing at Lennie's on the Turnpike in 1963
Background information
Born	(1936-05-27)May 27, 1936 Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
Died	April 25, 1990(1990-04-25) (aged 53)
Genres	Jazz
Occupation	Musician
Instrument	Drums
Years active	1950s–1990
Formerly of	Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Maynard Ferguson, Lionel Hampton, Red Allen, James Brown

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Starting out on trumpet, Jones switched to drums at the age of 13. He worked with Lionel Hampton in 1954 before being drafted.^[1][2] While stationed at Fort Jackson, Jones played in a quintet every Saturday night at the black United Service Organization clubhouse in Columbia. He later played with Red Allen and Maynard Ferguson's Orchestra (1959–1963). He led a quintet from 1963 to 1964, producing for Cameo Records his only album as a leader. Jones worked with Count Basie and Woody Herman in the mid-1960s and backed that up with Duke Ellington in the latter half of the decade.^[3]

Jones (various accounts concur) was forced to put down his sticks in 1973, due to the debilitating effects of early-onset arthritis. He died in 1990, after working as a porter at Caesar’s Palace Casino in Las Vegas.

Rufus' son, Lebrew, was sentenced in 1989 to 22 years to life for the murder of Michaelanne Hall, a prostitute in New York City. He was released on parole on November 19, 2009 after significant doubts were raised about his guilt.^[4]