Sharon Jones
Sharon Jones performing at Pori Jazz in 2010
Jones performing at Pori Jazz in 2010
Background information
Birth nameSharon Lafaye Jones
Also known asLafaye Jones
Born(1956-05-04)May 4, 1956
Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
OriginNew York City, U.S.
DiedNovember 18, 2016(2016-11-18) (aged 60)
Cooperstown, New York, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1996–2016
LabelsDaptone
Member ofSharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
WebsiteOfficial website

Sharon Lafaye Jones (May 4, 1956 – November 18, 2016) was an American soul and funk singer. She was the lead singer of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, a soul and funk band based in Brooklyn, New York.[2] Jones experienced breakthrough success relatively late in life,[3] releasing her first record when she was 40 years old.[4] In 2014, Jones was nominated for her first Grammy, in the category Best R&B Album, for Give the People What They Want.[5][6]

Early life

Jones was born in Augusta, Georgia,[7] the daughter of Ella Mae Price Jones[8] and Charlie Jones,[9] living in adjacent North Augusta, South Carolina.[7] Jones was the youngest of six children; her siblings are Dora, Charles, Ike, Willa and Henry.[10] Jones's mother raised her deceased sister's four children as well as her own. She moved the family to New York City when Sharon was a young child. As children, she and her brothers would often imitate the singing and dancing of James Brown.[11] Her mother happened to know Brown, who was also from Augusta.[11]

Jones grew up in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.[2] In 1975, she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn.[12][13] She attended Brooklyn College.[9]

Career

Early career

A regular gospel singer in church, during the early 1970s Jones often entered talent shows backed by local funk bands. Session work then continued with backing vocals, often credited to Lafaye Jones, but in the absence of any recording contract as a solo singer, she spent many years working as a corrections officer at Rikers Island and as an armored car guard for Wells Fargo, until receiving a mid-life career break in 1996 after she appeared on a session backing the soul and deep funk legend Lee Fields.[14]

The session was organized by Gabriel Roth and Philippe Lehman, then the owner of the now-defunct French record label Pure Records. Jones was the only one of three singers called to the session to show up. Having completed all the backing parts herself, Roth and Lehman were suitably impressed with her performance and recorded "Switchblade", a solo track with Jones. This track and "The Landlord" were included on the Soul Providers' album Soul Tequila, released by Lehman on Pure circa 1996. The Soul Providers—with members of the Brooklyn bands Antibalas and the Mighty Imperials—later formed the Dap-Kings, who became Jones's regular backing band.[15]

Lehman and Roth started a new label based in Brooklyn, Desco Records, now also defunct. Soul Tequila was re-released as Gimme the Paw, which omitted "The Landlord" but kept "Switchblade". Jones recorded and released three 45-rpm singles for Desco: "Damn It's Hot" part 1 backed by part 2, "Bump N Touch" part 1 backed by "Hook and Sling Meets the Funky Superfly" (a medley cover of tracks by Eddie Bo and Bobby Williams), and "You Better Think Twice" backed by "I Got the Feeling" (a James Brown cover). The singles gained some notice among 45 soul and funk collectors, particularly because in the early days of Desco Records some collectors may have believed them to be originals from the early seventies, as they were not dated. These singles were also released on a compilation CD, the Desco Funk 45' Collection, with tracks by various other artists in the Desco stable. Desco had established a firm reputation among enthusiasts. Desco continued to release 45-rpm singles and also released LPs by Lee Fields, the Sugarman 3, the Daktaris and the Mighty Imperials as well as a further compilation of funk 45s. The Mighty Imperials album was the last release on the Desco label, and Lehman and Roth parted ways in 2000. Lehman started another independent label, Soul Fire Records, now also defunct. Roth went on to start Daptone Records with the saxophonist Neal Sugarman of Sugarman 3.[16]

Daptone Records

Launched on the back of the popularity of Desco Records, Daptone Records' first release was a full-length album by Sharon Jones. A new band, the Dap-Kings, was formed from the former members of the Soul Providers and the Mighty Imperials. Some of the musicians went on to record for Lehman's Soul Fire label, while some formed the Budos Band, an Afro-beat band. From the original Soul Providers, Roth (also known as Bosco Mann) on bass, guitarist and emcee Binky Griptite, percussionist Fernando Velez, trumpet player Anda Szilagyi and organist Earl Maxton were joined by original Mighty Imperials saxophonist Leon Michels and drummer Homer Steinweiss, plus Neal Sugarman from Sugarman 3, to form The Dap-Kings.[17]

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings were the headliner act at the 2013 Treefort Music Fest

In 2002, under the name Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, the group released the album Dap Dippin' with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, for which they received immediate attention and acclaim from enthusiasts, DJs and collectors. With three more albums under their belt, Naturally (2005), 100 Days, 100 Nights (2007) and I Learned the Hard Way (2010)[18] they are seen by many as the spearhead of a revival of soul and funk.[19]

In 2015, during an interview with Billboard about her Grammy nomination, Jones discussed her commitment to the Daptone Label, an independent company. She cited artistic freedom and the commitment to the band.[20]

Film

Jones had a small part in the 2007 film The Great Debaters, starring Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker, in which she played Lila, a juke joint singer. Her performance of Lucille Bogan's "That's What My Baby Likes" is featured in the film, and additional covers by Jones of songs from the 1930s are included on the film's soundtrack.[21] In 2015, a documentary titled Miss Sharon Jones!, directed by Barbara Kopple, debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival.[22]

Collaborations

Influences

Jones has sometimes been called, especially early in her late renaissance of a career, the Female James Brown.[11]

Amongst Jones' influences were James Brown, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Thom Bell, Otis Redding, Ike & Tina Turner, Marva Whitney and everyone from Motown. In addition, Jones also cited more recently known artists, such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Erykah Badu and Beyoncé.[29]

Personal life

For several years she lived with her mother in the Far Rockaway section of Queens, New York.[2]

Health and death

It was announced on June 3, 2013, that Jones had been diagnosed with bile duct cancer[30] and had undergone surgery, which forced her to postpone the release of the group's fifth album, Give the People What They Want.[31] The diagnosis was later changed to stage II pancreatic cancer, for which Jones had surgery on her liver and underwent chemotherapy.[32] The chemotherapy caused hair loss, and for a time she performed bald, refusing to wear wigs.[33][34]

During the screening of her documentary at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival,[35] Jones revealed that her cancer had returned,[36] and that she would be undergoing chemotherapy again.[37] She suffered a stroke while watching the 2016 United States presidential election results and another the following day.[38] Jones remained alert and lucid during the initial period of her hospital stay, claiming that the news of Donald Trump's victory was responsible for her stroke.[39][40]

Jones died on November 18, 2016, in Cooperstown, New York, aged 60.

Discography

With the Dap-Kings

As solo artist

Singles

  • "Damn It's Hot" (Desco, 1996)[41][42]
  • "Bump N Touch Part 1" / "Hook N Sling Meets The Funky Superfly" (Desco, 1997)[42]
  • "You Better Think Twice" / "I Got The Feeling" (Desco, 1998)[42]
  • "I'm Gonna Get Ya!" (Pandemonium, 1999)[43]

As featured artist

  • The Soul Providers featuring Lee Fields – "The Landlord" from Gimme The Paw ...And Eleven Other Funky Favorites (1997); vocals
  • Norma Jean Bell – "Yes I Am (I'm Gonna Get You)" from Come Into My Room (2001)
  • Greyboy – "Got To Be A Love," "Gotta' Stand For Something" & " Everyday Problem" from Soul Mosaic (Ubiquity, 2004)
  • Los Walkysons – "Do The Crank / I Idolize You" feat. Sharon Jones (2006)
  • They Might Be Giants – "Withered Hope" from The Else (2007)
  • Wax Tailor – "The Way We Lived" feat. Sharon Jones from Hope & Sorrow (Decon, 2007)
  • Greyboy – "Got To Be A Love" feat. Sharon Jones from 15 Years Of West Coast Cool (2008)
  • Lucky Peterson – "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?" from Organ Soul Sessions: The Music Is The Magic (Universal Jazz France, 2009)
  • David Byrne & Fatboy Slim – "Dancing Together" from Here Lies Love (2010)
  • Booker T. Jones – "Representing Memphis" feat. Matt Berninger & Sharon Jones from The Road From Memphis (ANTI, 2011)
  • Steve Cropper – "Come On & Save Me" and "Messin' Up" feat. Sharon Jones from Dedicated: A Salute To The 5 Royales (429 Records, 2011)
  • Joe Jackson – "I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues / Do Nothin' 'Til You Hear From Me" from The Duke (Ear Music, 2012)
  • E.L. Fields Gospel Wonders – "Heaven Bound" (Daptone, 2017)

Other credits

  • Gangsters – Heat I (1981); backing vocals
  • Ivy – Ivy II (1986); vocals
  • Lee Fields – "Let Man Do What He Wana Do" / "Steamtrain" (Desco, 1996); backing vocals
  • TriSpirit – "Rejoice" feat. Tonni Smith (2003); backing vocals
  • New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble – Skaleidoscope (2005); vocals
  • Rufus Wainwright – "Release The Stars" from Release The Stars (Geffen, 2007); backing vocals
  • Lou Reed – Berlin: Live At St. Ann's Warehouse (2008); backing vocals
  • Naomi Shelton and The Gospel Queens – What Have You Done, My Brother? (Daptone, 2009); backing vocals
  • The Gaslight Anthem – "Stray Paper" from Get Hurt (2014); backing vocals

References

  1. ↑ "Sharon Jones of retro-soul band the Dap-Kings dies at 60". BBC News. November 19, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Ryzik, Melena (April 23, 2010). "Music: Playlists. Sharon Jones and Neal Sugarman. From Jameson to Fela Kuti, Preshow Rites of a Soul Band". New York Times. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  3. ↑ Dacks, David (March 25, 2010). "Sharon Jones Keeps It Real". Exclaim!. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  4. ↑ Kumeh, Titania (April 19, 2011). "Dap Queen Sharon Jones". Mother Jones. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Nominee: Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings". Grammy Award. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  6. ↑ Peterson, Quinn (February 3, 2015). "Soultress Sharon Jones Speaks on 2015 Grammy Nomination". Life + Times. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  7. 1 2 Kenny, Steve; Coscarelli, Joe (November 18, 2016). "Sharon Jones, Powerful Voice of Soul With the Dap-Kings, Dies at 60". The New York Times. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  8. ↑ Rhodes, Don (March 6, 2012). "Mother of Blues Singer Dies in Augusta". Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  9. 1 2 Koshkin, Brett (February 27, 2014). "Soul Survivor: She's Conquered Cancer, Now Sharon Jones Is Ready to Reclaim the Stage". River Front Times. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Sharon Jones' Fundraiser: The Ella Mae Jones Memorial". Crowdrise. 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 Gross, Terry (November 28, 2007). "Sharon Jones Is 'Nobody's Baby'". Fresh Air. NPR. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  12. ↑ Browne, David (March 28, 2010). "Schooled in Hard Tries: Sharon Jones Is What You'd Call a Soul Survivor". New York. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Jefferson 1974 Yearbook: Sharon Jones. Brooklyn College. Singer. Chorus, Track Team". Museum of Family History. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  14. ↑ Hart, Peter Andrew (November 18, 2016). "Titan Of Soul Sharon Jones Dies At 60 From Cancer". HuffPost. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  15. 1 2 Schneider, Jason (September 24, 2007). "Soul Survivors: How Classic Rhythm & Blues Has Become Vital Once Again". Exclaim!. Retrieved October 18, 2007.
  16. ↑ "Sharon Jones, Soul and Funk Singer With Dap-Kings, Dead at 60". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  17. ↑ Saperstein, Pat (November 19, 2016). "Singer Sharon Jones Dies at 60". Variety. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  18. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (April 23, 2010). "Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, "I Learned the Hard Way"". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  19. ↑ Milligan, Nick (December 2010). "Soul Sacrifice". Reverb Magazine. No. 53. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  20. ↑ Leight, Elias (January 7, 2015). "Exclusive: Sharon Jones Premieres 'Little Boys With Shiny Toys' & Talks First Grammy Nom". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  21. ↑ O'Connell, Chris (March 10, 2010). "SXSW: Sharon Jones: Too Short, Too Dark, Too Fat?". The A.V. Club. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  22. ↑ Felperin, Leslie (September 11, 2015). "'Miss Sharon Jones!': TIFF Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  23. ↑ Brown, Helen (April 1, 2010). "Here Lies Love: David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, CD review". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Phish, with help from Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, covered Exile on Main St. @ Halloween 'Festival 8′ in Indio – pics". brooklynvegan.com. November 11, 2009. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  25. ↑ Jouin-Claude, Allyson (November 19, 2016). "Mort de Sharon Jones, chanteuse et diva soul". Le Figaro. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  26. ↑ Rohn, Jake (November 26, 2013). "Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings to Play Macy's Thanksgiving Parade". BET. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Reginald D Hunter's Songs of the South, Alabama and Georgia". BBC. February 28, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  28. ↑ "'Luke Cage' EP Wanted Prince To Guest Star; Reveals Which Plot Point Was For 'Purple Rain' Singer". International Business Times. October 6, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  29. ↑ Medeiros, Jotabê (April 16, 2011). "Baixa e negra Demais". O Estado de S.Paulo. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  30. ↑ EW Staff (June 3, 2013). "Singer Sharon Jones Diagnosed with Bile Cancer, Cancels Upcoming Tour and Album". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Soul singer Sharon Jones Says She Has Cancer, Postpones Album". Reuters. June 3, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  32. ↑ Rhodes, Don (January 9, 2015). "Sharon Jones Has Liver Surgery". Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  33. ↑ Hyman, Dan (January 9, 2014). "Q. and A.: Months After Beating Cancer, Sharon Jones Is Back on the Road". The New York Times. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  34. ↑ Schwartzberg, Lauren (February 2, 2014). "Sharon Jones on Beating Cancer, and Her New Album Give the People What They Want". Vulture. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  35. ↑ Anderson, John (September 15, 2015). "'Miss Sharon Jones!' Wows Crowds in Toronto". Indiewire. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  36. ↑ Hudson, Alex (September 13, 2015). "Sharon Jones' Cancer Has Returned". Exclaim!. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  37. ↑ Vain, Madison (September 14, 2015). "Soul Singer Sharon Jones Reveals Cancer Returned During Doc Screening at TIFF". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  38. ↑ Shelbourne, Mallory (November 20, 2016). "Musician Sharon Jones 'blamed' Trump for stroke: report".
  39. ↑ "Dap-Kings' Gabriel Roth recalls Sharon Jones' last days: 'She didn't want to stop singing'". Los Angeles Times. November 21, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Sharon Jones suffered a stroke while watching the election results, Dap-Kings say". The A.V. Club. November 21, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  41. ↑ Levine, Nick (November 19, 2016). "Sharon Jones, Dap Kings singer, has died aged 60". NME. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  42. 1 2 3 Sweeting, Adam (November 20, 2016). "Sharon Jones Obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  43. ↑ "Sharon Jones - I'm Gonna Get Ya! - Pandamonium - PR 15". Amazon.com. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
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