Jack Jones, who left us three days ago, was by no means a jazz singer. Nevertheless, he was a quality vocalist whose interpretation of popular songs during his peak years (1960 - 2000) added a touch of class to the charts on both sides of the Atlantic.
He didn't swing like Sinatra, or improvise like Tormé, but brought an almost classical feel to the songs he recorded such as Lollipops and Roses and Wives and Lovers. In many ways his relationship to jazz, other than with the occasional big band backing, was similar to that of his equally famous father, light operatic tenor Allan Jones' was to grand opera.
Although I never saw him live, friends who did were always impressed by his voice and his stagecraft. One friend recalls seeing him on five occasions over five consecutive years (2007-2011) at Newcastle City Hall and Sage Gateshead.
His death leaves a gap in a part of the market that he dominated for so many years. At this moment in time, I can't think of anyone to plug that gap.
Jack Jones was 86 - may he Rest In Peace. Lance
3 comments :
A class act.
I was lucky enough to see him perform five times at his peak during 1975 to 1990. He was the best ballad singer in the business during that time. He will go down as the singers singer, I know jack would have settled for that.
I saw Jack Jones once at the Floral Hall Southport backed by the Count Basie Band and
was mentioned in the papers frequently at the time due to his friendship with film star Susan George.
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