Oliver Jones (pianist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oliver Jones
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Oliver Jones in 2014
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Oliver Theophilus Jones |
| Born | September 11, 1934 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, arranger, educator |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1940–present |
| Associated acts | Charlie Biddle, Ranee Lee, Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, Clark Terry |
Oliver Theophilus Jones (born September 11, 1934) is a very talented Canadian jazz pianist. He is also a composer and arranger. Jazz is a type of music known for its lively rhythms and improvisation.
In 2023, Oliver Jones was honored by being added to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. This is a special place for Canada's most important musicians.
Oliver Jones: A Jazz Journey
Oliver Jones was born in Little Burgundy, a neighborhood in Montreal, Quebec. His parents were from Barbados. He started playing the piano when he was just five years old. He learned from Mme Bonner at the Union United Church. Later, he studied with Oscar Peterson's sister, Daisy Peterson Sweeney. Oscar Peterson was another legendary jazz pianist.
As a child, Oliver performed at his church. He also had a fun "trick piano act" at clubs and theaters. He would dance, do splits, and even play the piano from unusual positions!
In his early career, he toured Vermont and Quebec with a band called Bandwagon. From 1953 to 1963, he mostly played in Montreal. He also went on tours around Quebec.
From 1964 to 1980, Oliver was the music director for Kenny Hamilton. Kenny Hamilton was a calypso singer from Jamaica. They were based in Puerto Rico during this time.
In 1980, Oliver started working with Charlie Biddle in Montreal. Charlie Biddle had a jazz club called 'Biddles'. Oliver was the main pianist there from 1981 to 1986. His very first album, Live at Biddles, was recorded in 1983. It was the first record released by the Justin Time record label.
By the mid-1980s, Oliver Jones was traveling all over Canada. He played at music festivals, concerts, and clubs. Sometimes he performed alone. Other times, he played with his trio. His travels also took him to Europe.
In 1990, a film called Oliver Jones in Africa was made about his tour in Nigeria. His music was also featured in an animated short film called Black Soul. In 1998, Oliver wrote music for a film called Season of Change. This movie was about Jackie Robinson's time with the Montreal Royals baseball team.
Sharing the Music: Oliver as a Teacher
Oliver Jones also shared his musical knowledge with others. He taught music at Laurentian University from 1987 to 1995. He also taught at McGill University from 1988 to 1995.
In 2009, Oliver helped mentor a jazz artist named Dione Taylor. This was part of a special program. The program connects experienced artists with newer ones. They work together to learn from each other.
Awards and Honors
Oliver Jones has received many important awards for his music.
In 1993, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest honors a Canadian citizen can receive.
In 1994, he was given the National Order of Québec. He received the rank of Chevalier, which means Knight.
In 2005, Oliver received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award. This is Canada's top award for people in the performing arts.
He has won two Juno Awards, which are like Canada's Grammy Awards. He won in 1986 for his album Lights of Burgundy. He won again in 2009 for Second Time Around. He has been nominated for this award nine other times.
He also won the Félix Award four times: in 1989, 1994, 2007, and 2008.
In 2006, the National Jazz Awards voted him "keyboardist of the year."
He received the Oscar Peterson Award in 1990.
In 1999, Oliver Jones was given a Special Achievement Award at the SOCAN Awards.
Finally, in 2023, he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
