Etta Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Etta Jones
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Etta Jones and Houston Person, 1980
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| Background information | |
| Born | November 25, 1928 Aiken, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | October 16, 2001 (aged 72) Mount Vernon, New York, U.S. |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1943–2001 |
| Labels | Prestige, Muse, HighNote |
| Associated acts | Houston Person, Buddy Johnson, Leonard Feather |
Etta Jones (born November 25, 1928 – died October 16, 2001) was an American jazz singer. She was best known for her songs "Don't Go to Strangers" and "Save Your Love for Me." Etta worked with many famous musicians. These included Buddy Johnson, Oliver Nelson, Earl Hines, and Houston Person.
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About Etta Jones
Etta Jones was born in Aiken, South Carolina. She grew up in Harlem, New York. When she was still a teenager, she joined Buddy Johnson's band. She went on tour with them.
Her first songs were recorded in 1944. These included "Salty Papa Blues" and "Evil Gal Blues." A music producer named Leonard Feather helped her record these songs. She sang with famous musicians like clarinet player Barney Bigard. In 1947, she recorded a song called "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman." From 1949 to 1952, she performed with the Earl Hines sextet.
Awards and Recognition
Etta Jones was nominated for a Grammy Award three times.
- Her album Don't Go to Strangers was nominated in 1960.
- The album Save Your Love for Me was nominated in 1981.
- My Buddy was nominated in 1998. This album was a tribute to her first boss, Buddy Johnson.
In 2008, her album Don't Go to Strangers was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame. This is a special honor for recordings that are important and have lasting quality.
Working with Houston Person
After recording for Prestige Records, Etta Jones started a long musical partnership. She worked with tenor saxophonist Houston Person for over 30 years. They often shared billing on their albums. Houston Person also produced her albums and managed her career. They first met while playing in one of Johnny "Hammond" Smith's bands.
Their close work together meant Etta Jones was very busy in the last 20 years of her life. She released many albums with Muse Records. In 1996, she began recording for the HighNote label. Her last recording was a tribute to the famous singer Billie Holiday. It was released on the day Etta Jones passed away.
Only one of her albums, Don't Go to Strangers (1960), sold over 1 million copies. However, her other albums gained her many loyal fans. These included seven albums for Prestige, 12 for Muse Records, and seven for HighNote Records.
Etta Jones died in Mount Vernon, New York, at the age of 72. She was survived by her husband, John Medlock, and her granddaughter.
Images for kids
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Etta Jones and Houston Person, 1980
See also
In Spanish: Etta Jones para niños
