Isham Edgar Jones (January 31, 1894 – October 19, 1956)[1] was an American bandleader, saxophonist, bassist and songwriter.

[3][4] The family moved to Saginaw, Michigan, where Jones grew up and started his first ensemble for church concerts.

[13] Noted musicians who played in Jones's band included Louis Panico, Benny Goodman (although no records were made during the short time he was there), Woody Herman, Walt Yoder, and Roy Bargy.

Reed virtuoso Al Gallodoro appeared briefly with Jones in 1933, taking part in a record date October 3.

In April that year, young Bing Crosby recorded two sessions with Jones's group which included "Sweet Georgia Brown".

They recorded "experimental" songs for RCA Victor in which Jones began to fuse jazz and early swing music.

[1] Jones started a new band in 1937–38 and recorded a handful of sessions under the ARC labels: Melotone, Perfect and Banner.

In the 1940s, Jones resided on his poultry farm in Colorado, which he occasionally left for short tours with pickup bands.

[16] Isham Jones was the leader of one of America's most popular dance bands in the first half of the 20th century, between the two World Wars.

His remarkable string of chart-topping compositions between 1922 and 1925, in collaboration with lyricist Gus Kahn, and later with Charles Newman, included eight number 1 records, an unequaled body of work for a full-time band leader.