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Keith Jones
Keith Jones was a Sheffield born university graduate who, in 1955, was a founder member of trumpeter John Shillito's first band, The Gloryland Jazzband, before moving to the Northwest in the 60s. Keith learnt to play Jazz at University in Sheffield in the 1950’s – motivated by hearing George Lewis - and, with John Shillito and other friends, formed a New Orleans style band in the late 1950’s. Moving to Merseyside in the 1960’s, he played for about 10 years with the Panama Jazz Band, sharing the clarinet seat with Dave Thomas but was forced to give up by work commitments. After retiring, he started playing seriously again, joining the Downtown Dixieland Jazz Band and depping for most of the local bands. He liked a wide range of music and particularly enjoyed the breadth of styles which the Parade Jazz Band played.
Hi Fred It is with great sadness that we tell you that Keith passed away suddenly in the early hours of 30th March. The family have contacted the members of the bands who he played for but we would be grateful if you could let the wider Jazz community know via your website. Thank you Pat & the girls 30/03/18 - Sorry to hear that Keith Jones, clarinettist with the Original Panama Jazz Band for many years, also The Parade Jazzmen and The Downtown Dixies, passed away this morning. Our thoughts go out to his wife Pat and family. He was a good and enthusiastic musician, bandsman and friend to many. Jon Critchley 30/03/18 -
So sad to hear that Fred, I
was very fond of Keith, Laurie Cooper 30/03/18 - I was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of Keith Jones’s passing. He has played with the Parade Jazzband for some considerable time. His good nature, humour and splendid playing will be greatly missed. Roy Gregory (Parade Jazzband) 30/03/18 - Sad news I played with him when he guested with New Orleans Express, we called him doctor as I believe he got a degree in chemistry .Great guy and great musician. John Dunlop
30/03/18 -
Very sad to read John
Critchley’s message about Keith Jones. I played alongside Keith for
seven years with the original Panama Jazz Band before emigrating to
Australia in 1973. He was a lovely bloke and fine player who’ll be
sadly missed by many. Please pass on our condolences to Pat and
family. 31/03/18 -
So sorry to hear that Keith Jones has
passed away. Haven't seem in him for a number of years but was
always a pleasure to play with. A fine natural musician and also
sang bass with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir for many
years. 31/03/18 - Shocked and saddened to hear of Keith’s sudden passing. I enjoyed playing alongside him for several years in the Parade Jazz Band. Condolences to Keith’s family and fellow band mates. Paul Marks 31/03/18 - So sorry to hear Keith Jones has passed away. He was a great clarinet player I always enjoyed playing alongside him but most of all he was such a nice person. My condolences to Pat and their lovely family. Jim Lucas 02/02/18 -
Really sorry to hear
the sad news about Keith Jones. I knew Keith when he and I worked in
Unilever Research for many years but it was mainly in the Panama
JB's Wednesday evening sessions at the Black Horse in West Kirby
that I got to know his enthusiastic and always musically accurate
playing. As a keen cyclist, he also lent me a saddlebag when I
needed one. Although I'd not seen Keith for a few years, I know that
he'll be greatly missed as a fine musician and good friend.
Condolences to Pat and the family. 05/04/18
Keith Jones was a lovely and very
clever man as well as being a fine musician and so modest about his
ability. He was always so kind to me and ready to explain anything I
didn't understand whilst I was with The Parade Jazz Band and was
willing to move out of his comfort zone to play something I wanted
to sing that wasn't in the band's repertoire. I was very upset to
hear of his passing and it was, as to many of us, a great shock. His
family must be devastated and my heart goes out to them at this
terribly sad time. 10/04/18 - Please pass on our sympathy to Keith's family from us all in the Merseysippi Jazz Band. We knew him very well and he will be much missed but all who knew him. I first met him many years ago depping with the Panama Jazz Band at the Black Horse in West Kirby well before I joined the Merseys in 1980. I think it was in the 60s. He will be much missed by the jazzers on Merseyside. Peter Fryer
15/04/18 -
I would like to add my "bit" to the many deserved tributes to Keith. As a fellow clarinet player, I didn't play many bookings with him but rather covered for him as he did for me on a good few occasions. He was a good friend and a good all round musician. I have fond memories of picking him out from amongst the gentlemen of the Philharmonic choir as well as sitting in with bands with which he played. He was always keen to help when and where he could and he will be sadly missed not just as a great clarinettist but also as a great friend. Dave Dixson
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