Dave Jones of Kenny Ball and his Jazz men musical instruments.

Our 5th March sale will include several musical instruments illustrated below which were formerly the property of David Jones clarinet player for the Kenny Ball Jazzmen.

Kenny ball was a trumpet player who founded the band Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen in 1958, his band went onto being at the forefront of the UK Jazz revival in the 1960’s. At the end of 1961 their recording of Cole Porter’s ‘Samantha’ reached number 2 in the UK singles chart. In 1962 the groups version of Midnight in Moscow sold over a million copies earning them a gold disc and getting them on the Billboard Hot 100. More hits and chart success was to follow ensuring the bands success in the UK.
Dave Jones worked around the East London area with bands such as Charlie Galbraith's before becoming a founder member of the Kenny Ball Jazzmen. His clarinet tone can be heard on all of the great hits by the group until 1967. It is said in ‘The Rough Guide To Jazz’, by Digby Fairweather that his substantial tone, superior technique, powerful sound and driving approach became one of the strongest points of Ball's strong front-line, and helped to establish a new high standard for British Dixieland’ Dave Jones was to rub shoulders with many of the Jazz greats during his work with Kenny Ball including meeting and playing with Louis Armstrong. Following his work with Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Jones became a session musician working with The Kinks on baritone saxophone, he also played locally on the Dixieland scene with friends including Galbraith, Mike Cotton, Pat Mason and Bill Nile: he also subbed for Acker Bilk. later 1980's played regularly for Laurie Chescoe's band.