1935), graduated from the Central High School in Jackson and received his undergraduate degree with highest honors at Millsaps College.

Jones enjoyed his earliest success as a conductor, advancing through the ranks of smaller American orchestras to become music director of the Rochester Philharmonic.

He retired from full-time academic life after 24 years at Rice to relocate to the Pacific Northwest and dedicate more of his attention to composition.

His violin concerto was premiered in 2015 by Anne Akiko Meyers with the All-Star Orchestra conducted by Gerard Schwarz (online).

Early in his career he founded the Alma Symphony and the Delta College Summer Festival of Music in Michigan.