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Jones, Philly Joe
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Jones, Philly Joe
Source: African American National Biography
Word Count: 1210 Includes: Further Reading | Obituaries:(15 July 1923–30 Aug. 1985), jazz drummer, was born Joseph Rudolph Jones in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Amelia J. Abbott, a piano teacher and church organist. His father, whose name is unknown, died shortly after he was born. During his early childhood Joseph was featured as a tap dancer on a local Philadelphia radio program, The Kiddie Show. Interestingly, several other important jazz drummers, including Jo Jones and Buddy Rich, were also tap dancers. Joseph's sisters studied violin and piano, and his first organized musical experience began in grade school, where he played drums. In 1941 he left high school and enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served as a military policeman until his release in 1943. His wife's name was Eloise(maiden name and marriage date unknown), and they had ...
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