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Rufus “Speedy” Jones was born May 27, 1936 in Charleston, South Carolina. Starting out on trumpet he switched to drums at the age of 13. He got an early start in 1954 with Lionel Hampton before being drafted. While stationed at Fort Jackson, Rufus played in a quintet every Saturday night at the black United Service Organization clubhouse in Columbia.

From 1959 to 1963 Rufus played with Henry “Red” Allen and Maynard Ferguson’s Orchestra. He led his own quintet during 1963-1964 producing a Cameo LP, his only album as a leader. He gained fame for his flamboyant work with Count Basie in the mid-1960s and backed that up with Duke Ellington in the latter half of the decade. He also notably appeared with James Brown. On April 25, 1990 drummer Rufus “Speedy” Jones passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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