Cheerful colours for Desi Jones’ funeral service June 3

Judith Jones, the widow of drummer Desi Jones, is asking for cheerful colours to be worn at the service of thanksgiving for his life, which will be held on Monday, June 3 at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, North Street in Kingston.

The service is scheduled to starting at 1 p.m. and will involve a tribute from musicians led by saxophonist, Dean Fraser.

Jones, one of Jamaica’s most outstanding musicians, died suddenly on Saturday, May 11, at the age of 65.

A founding member of the band Chalice, he recorded a number of albums with the group before leaving to form his own band, Skool. Jones also toured extensively and recorded with Jimmy Cliff, Barrington Levy, Mutabaruka, Marcia Griffiths, jazz pianist Monty Alexander and guitarist Ernie Ranglin.

Alexander, in a tribute posted to Instagram two days after Jones’ death, remembered him as “one of the most wonderful human beings I have ever crossed path with”.

“Desi was a beloved musician who played the drums as great as great can be. I have played music with a lot of great musicians in jazz, in Jamaican music ... and Desi was one of the kings. He was just the most enjoyable human being. [His death] was a shock to us all because when people pass away it’s a horrible thing ... there are some people who have such a life force within them that they bring joy. I think I can remember every word that he has ever said to me. I truly loved Desi. We had an incredible rapport,” Alexander said.

He then shared an amazing clip of Jones doing a solo in 1987 at the Montrose Jazz Festival in Switzerland. It was one of his “beautiful memories” with the illustrious drummer.

“Desi just made that music go to the moon. The music fly ... people loved it. I give great sympathy to all of those people who loved this man ... one in a million. Bye Des. See yuh down the road, man. Walk good,” Alexander said.

For years, Jones was a fixture on the live music scene, where he was very much in demand as a drummer and jazz musician. He was also a lecturer in music and wrote the only known book on reggae drumming.

In 2019, Desi Jones received the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer Class for his contribution to the development of Jamaican music in the genres of jazz, show music, and Reggae. He also received the JaRIA Award for Exceptional Musician (Instrumentalist) in 2023.