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About Darryl Jones

Although he was already a well respected session musician, it wasn't until bassist Darryl Jones replaced original member Bill Wyman in the Rolling Stones that he became widely known. Born on December 11, 1961, in the south side of Chicago, Jones picked up both the electric and upright bass, later playing in a local band alongside pianist Ken Chaney and guitarist Phil Upchurch, and on occasion, drummer Vince Wilburn Jr. Wilburn turned out to be jazz legend Miles Davis' nephew, and the drummer recommended Jones to Miles. A tryout in New York was arranged a day after Davis called Jones, which promptly landed Jones the gig. Joining Davis' touring band only a week after his inaugural tryout, Jones would appear on such ‘80s era Davis recordings as 1983's Decoy, plus a pair in 1985, You're Under Arrest and Human Nature. Settling down in New York City permanently, Jones quickly built a name for himself in the local jazz scene, where he played and/or recorded alongside his fellow bandmates in Davis' band, guitarists Mike Stern and John Scofield, as well as the Gil Evans Big Band and Steps Ahead. Jones' next prestigious gig came on another recommendation, when saxophonist Branford Marsalis helped set up a tryout for the bassist with Sting's backing band -- playing on 1985's Dream of the Blue Turtles and 1986's Bring on the Night, as well as touring along the ex-Police front man. Jones returned back to his hometown of Chicago in 1989, originally so he could focus primarily on his own song writing. But his plan was short lived, as word was already out about his talents, and more tour/studio work came his way, this time for Herbie Hancock & the Headhunters, Peter Gabriel, Madonna, and Eric Clapton. Jones' accomplishments up until this point were quite exceptional, but the jewel in his crown came in 1994, when he landed the gig as bassist for the Rolling Stones, when Bill Wyman opted to retire from rock n' roll entirely. Jones has been a member ever since, appearing on such studio recordings as 1994's Voodoo Lounge and 1997's Bridges to Babylon, as well as numerous tours (and resulting live albums, 1995's Stripped and 1998's No Security). Jones also continues to guest on other artist's recordings, including albums by Joan Armatrading, Buckshot LeFonque, Joe Cocker, and B.B. King, among others, while his bass playing can be heard on such archival Miles Davis releases (1998's Live in France, 2002's Complete Miles Davis at Montreux 1973-1991, etc.). ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide