Desi Jones, renowned Jamaican drummer, dead at 65
Desi Jones, the renowned reggae and jazz drummer and integral member of bands Chalice and Skool, has passed away at the age of 65.
Jones’ official foray into drumming began at the age of 12, during which time he also played trombone in the Salvation Army brass band. In 1976, at the age of 17, he joined the reputable Jamaican dance band Sonny Bradshaw Seven as a drummer.
He became a founding member of the reggae group Chalice in 1980, within which he contributed to at least seven albums.
In 1983, he achieved a significant milestone when he released The Art Of Reggae Drumming, the first official instructional book on reggae drumming. In the years that followed, he formed Skool, which toured with huge names in the genre, like Jimmy Cliff, Barrington Levy, Mutabaruka, and Marcia Griffiths.
More recently, in 2019, the Government recognised Jones for his contribution to Jamaican music in the genres of reggae and Jazz.
Following the news of Jones’ passing, Jamaica’s Culture Minister Olivia Grange expressed deep sadness over losing such a significant figure in the Jamaican music scene.
Recalling his impact and their relationship, Grange said, “I became his manager when he formed Skool, and it was one of the best artiste-manager relationships I experienced in the business, of which I have been a part for many years”.
Continuing, she added: “Jamaica has really lost one of its greatest musical talents. Desi was a musician’s musician, whose skills crossed musical boundaries, and, importantly, he took the time to advance younger artistes, regardless of their development or their instrument”.
She added: “I wish to express my condolences to his widow Judith, his son Joshua and his daughter Jodie, along with the entire local and international musical fraternity. May his soul rest in eternal peace”.
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