He is the Chicago cat whom Gordon Sumner (aka Sting), the Rolling Stones, and Miles Davis relied on to bring a fresh, funky veneer to their time-tested repertoire and latter-day canon. Darryl “The Munch” Jones’ mastery of slap and fingerpicking styles abetted by his loyalty to the language of rhythm and blues affords him a unique stance among the legends he anchors – Jones knows his history and his employers sound all the better for it.
Darryl Jones (12/11/61) grew up on Chicago’s South Side. He father, a drummer, started teaching Jones drums and xylophone when he was just seven. By age nine he saw his neighbor Angus Thomas playing bass in a school talent show, inspiring him to switch instruments. Putting a band together with his brother, they would perform at the school’s talent show and then their mother would start driving them to gigs around town.
After completing a music course at Chicago Vocational High School he would start playing around on the Chicago music scene playing gigs around Chicago with the likes of Ghallib Ghallab, Otis Clay, Ken Chaney and Phil Upchurch.
At the age of 21, with the help of his longtime friend Vincent Wilburn Jr. (the nephew of Miles Davis), Jones landed a life-changing gig with the legendary jazz icon, with whom he would record and tour over the next five years. He can be heard on Decoy, You’re Under Arrest, and several of Davis’ live concert albums. With Miles, Darryl was a catalyst – pushing Davis with his fierce grooves. Dig Darryl on Miles’ “Decoy” https://youtu.be/DcewuivRsRM
The following decade brought distinctive opportunities: When Police front-man and bass player Sting picked up a rhythm guitar to embark on a solo career, he chose Jones to play the bass. He played on the Dream of the Blue Turtles album and appeared in the documentary film Bring on the Night, and subsequent album and world tour. With Sting, Jones freed the bassist to focus on his vocals and rhythm guitar playing while providing Sting a strong funk foundation. Dig Darryl slappin’ and dancin’ “If You Love Someone Set Them Free” https://youtu.be/LSGl3d4KOMk
During the ‘80s Jones would go on to also perform with Peter Gabriel on the Human Rights Now! tour, Herbie Hancock & the Headhunters, Madonna, Eric Clapton, and more. During this time Jones also made his mark on the New York electric jazz scene where he played alongside John Scofield, Hiram Bullock, the Gil Evans Big Band, and Steps Ahead.
It was December of 1992 when Rolling Stones’ bassist Bill Wyman said he was leaving the band. No more tours, no more records. Jones would put out the word he was interested in auditioning. He got the call to try out. A few weeks after that he was invited by the band to Ireland to record some new material, and his bass lines would become part of the 1994 album Voodoo Lounge. A couple more months would pass by before Jones was finally given the word he would tour and record with the Rolling Stones.
Though Stones sticklers oft deride Darryl’s three decade and counting tenure in the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band, nearly half their hallowed career, Jones serves the band well quoting Bill Wyman’s essential motifs with a decidedly crisp tone bolstered by buoyant harmonic embellishments. Hence the Rolling Stones gather (relatively) no moss into the 21st Century… Dig Darryl soloing on “Miss You” https://youtu.be/YI-OzM0dy30
Ironically, Jones 30-year tenure with the Rolling Stones has been as a hired hand. He was never made an official member, simply paid for the work he does with them.
Meanwhile when the Stones aren’t working Jones delves into other projects as a co-leader including Stone Raiders with Jean-Paul Bourelly and Will Calhoun, 3 Brave Souls with John Beasley and the late Ndugu Chancler, and Chi Town Social Club with Nicholas Tremulis, Vincent Wilburn Jr., and Shawn Christopher. He also performs with the Miles Electric Band, to revisit and renew the musical innovation of the legendary Miles Davis.
His skills on the bass guitar go beyond playing. Understanding the instrument is key to its sound and playability, Darryl had also started his own boutique instrument company, aptly named Jones Musical Instruments.
Keep up with Darryl at www.DarrylJones.com
(Thanks to the Know Your Bass Player for research on this story https://knowyourbassplayer.com/…/2015-8-31-darryl-jones/)