One of his most memorable experiences while in high
school was when one of his friends, Nancy Sinatra, invited her father
to sing in the school auditorium. It left an indelible mark that
helped shape Jones' career choice.
Hire Jack Jones for your festival or concert plans.
Jones' professional debut was a brief stint as part
of his father's act at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
when he was just 19 years old. He went out on his own three weeks
later, working odd jobs to support himself while pursuing his singing
career. His first break came when a demo he recorded for songwriter
Don Raye found its way to Capitol Records. While with the label, he
recorded a few singles and an album, which he admits was mediocre.
Although he eventually left Capitol, one gem from
his album, "This Could Be The Start Of Something Big,"
caught the attention of a San Francisco club owner who booked him for
a three week run at Facks. While performing there, Jack Jones was discovered
by Pete King, a producer and artist for Kapp Records who quickly
signed him to the label.
He was still working at his "day job" as a gas
station attendant when his first album on Kapp was released. Jones,
while washing a customer's windshield, was surprised to hear one of
his cuts playing on the car radio. He could now legitimately hope that
his odd job days would soon be over.
As his career gained momentum, Jack Jones
developed a deep appreciation for well-constructed songs that also
have emotional appeal. His respect for songs that tell stories with
meaning and beauty led him to record works by the greatest balladeers
of all time: Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen, Cole Porter, the Gershwins,
Harold Arlen, Michel Legrand and Alan & Marilyn Bergman. He was
inspired by great Jazz instrumentalists he discovered during his teen
years such as Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry, Buddy Rich, Bob Brookmeyer,
Dave Pell Octet, Marty Paiche Dectet, Shorty Rogers and the Giants and
Count Basie.
Jack Jones' talent and commitment to his art
earned him two Grammy's for "Best Pop Male Vocal
Performance" with his singles "Lollipops and Roses" by
Anthony Velona and Bacharach/David's "Wives and Lovers." His
release, "Jack Jones Paints a Tribute to Tony Bennett," was
nominated for "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance." He
was also nominated for "The Impossible Dream," and his
recording of "Wives and Lovers" was nominated for
"Record of the Year." His hit records include "The Race
Is On," "Lady," "Call Me Irresponsible," and
"What I Did For Love." On April 13,1989, he was honored with
his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, close to where his
father's star is located.
He is also renowned as a leading interpreter of
musical theater – with acclaimed performances in "Guys and
Dolls," "South Pacific," "She Loves Me"
and "Pajama Game." Over the years, he has guest-starred on
countless episodic and/or comedy television series.
Admirers of Jones' talent include artists who
influenced him as a young singer: Sinatra who said, "Jack is one
of the major singers of our time," Mel Torme who called him
"the greatest 'pure' singer in the world" and legendary
composers Sammy Cahn and Michel Legrand.
In 1971, Jack Jones honored Michel Legrand by
recording the first complete vocal album in English of the French
composer's songs. Released by RCA, "Jack Jones Sings Michel Legrand" is an album which exquisitely showcases the vocalist's
art and a recording that Jones counts as one of his favorites. In 1997,
he recorded "New Jack Swing" for Honest Entertainment, which
introduced Jones to a new generation of fans with hip, swing
renditions of "Every Breath You Take," "Have You Ever
Loved A Woman," Keb Mo's "Dangerous Mood," "All Or
Nothing At All" and the classic "Mack The Knife."
With more than 50 recorded albums (17 of them
charting Billboard's Top 20) and consistently sold-out world tours, Jack
Jones continues to charm audiences with his wit, sensitivity and
vocal power. In addition to a successful recording career, Jones'
impressive credits include film and television roles, an
internationally syndicated TV variety show, guest performances at
Carnegie Halt, the Kennedy Center, and the White House. He has also
performed and later recorded popular theme songs for film and TV (such
as, "Love with a Proper Stranger" and "The Love
Boat").
On his release for Honest Entertainment, "Jack
Jones Paints A Tribute To Tony Bennett," Jones pays homage to a
friend and an American icon. He counts Bennett among those vocalists
who most influenced his style (a small but elite group that includes
Mel Torme, Sammy Davis Jr., Billy Eckstine, and Frank Sinatra).
Professional relationship aside, Jones and Bennett have been friends
since their meeting at Chicago's Palmer House Hotel in the late 60's
when Jones attended the last show of Bennett's engagement at the
Empire Room, before opening in the same room the following night.
Of his tribute album, which features some of
Bennett's signature songs, Jones says, "This album is my way of
saying thanks to a dear friend." In selecting songs for this
album, he chose three of his personal Bennett favorites,
"Skylark," "Shadow Of Your Smile" and "You
Must Believe In Spring."
