Curtis Jones Biography

18 August 1906, Naples, Texas, USA, d. 11 September 1971, Munich, Germany. One of a coterie of bluesmen who made Europe their home, pianist Jones began his recording career in 1947 and his debut, ‘Lonesome Bedroom Blues’, was a major hit. The song remained in Columbia Records’ catalogue until the demise of the 78 rpm record, eventually becoming a blues standard in the repertoire of others. Because of the success, Jones enjoyed a prolific recording career until 1941 whereupon he worked outside of music. In 1958 blues enthusiasts located him living in run-down conditions in Chicago. In the 60s Jones recorded albums for Bluesville, Delmark Records, Decca Records and Blue Horizon Records. He died in penury, his grave in Germany being sold in 1979 because no one had paid for its upkeep.

Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.