James Alfred Smith Preston (August 18, 1913 – December 17, 1984),[1] was an American R&B bandleader, alto saxophonist, drummer and singer who made an important contribution to early rock and roll.
[2] His main claim to fame was to record, as Jimmy Preston and His Prestonians, the original version of "Rock the Joint" for Gotham in 1949.
The sax breaks on "Rock the Joint" were the work of tenor player Danny Turner (1920–1995).
In 1950, tenor saxophone player Benny Golson and pianist Billy Gaines were added to his new line-up and recorded songs like "Hay Ride" and "Early Morning Blues".
[3] Preston moved to Derby Records and had a final R&B hit with a cover of Louis Prima’s "Oh Babe".