Born in Chicago, Illinois, United States,[1] Jones moved to Alabama, where he learned to play several instruments, including saxophone, piano, and drums.

[1] He worked as a drummer and tap-dancer at carnival shows until joining Walter Page's band, the Blue Devils in Oklahoma City in the late 1920s.

[1] Jones, Basie, guitarist Freddie Green and bassist Walter Page were sometimes billed as an "All-American Rhythm section," an ideal team.

[1] Jones had a major influence on later drummers such as Buddy Rich, Kenny Clarke, Roy Haynes, Max Roach, and Louie Bellson.

[3] With Count Basie With Art Blakey With Milt Buckner With Buck Clayton With Coleman Hawkins With Illinois Jacquet With Paul Quinichette With Slam Stewart With Buddy Tate With Ben Webster With Teddy Wilson With Lester Young