[2] In 1947 he became the house drummer at Café Society in New York City, where he played with the leading bebop players of the day, including Tadd Dameron.

Between late 1967 and 1972 Jones lived in London and Paris,[4] performing and recording with musicians including Archie Shepp, Mal Waldron and Hank Mobley.

[5] For two years (1967–1969) Jones taught at a specially organized school in Hampstead, London, but was prevented from otherwise working in the UK by the Musicians' Union.

His 1968 album Mo' Joe (also released as Trailways Express)[6] was recorded in London with local musicians (including Peter King, Harold McNair, Chris Pyne, Kenny Wheeler and others).

[2] With Chet Baker With Sonny Clark With Miles Davis With Kenny Drew With Bill Evans With Art Farmer With Red Garland With Benny Golson With Dexter Gordon With Ernie Henry With Elmo Hope With Freddie Hubbard With Bobby Hutcherson With Duke Jordan With Abbey Lincoln With Herbie Mann With Howard McGhee With Blue Mitchell With Hank Mobley With Phineas Newborn Jr. With Sonny Rollins With Archie Shepp With Clark Terry With others