Edgar Jones (musician) explained

Edgar Jones
Background:solo_singer
Birth Name:Edgar William Jones
Birth Date:1970 12, df=yes
Birth Place:Liverpool, England
Alias:Edgar Summertyme, Peg Majoly, Edgar "Jones" Jones
Instrument:Vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards
Occupation:Singer-songwriter, musician
Years Active:1990–present
Label:Go!, Imaginary, Viper, Loud Soul
Associated Acts:The Stairs, The Isrites, The Big Kids, Edgar Jones & the Joneses, Free Peace

Edgar William Jones (born 4 December 1970), also known as Edgar Summertyme, is an English singer-songwriter and musician. Jones was originally the bass player and singer-songwriter for the Stairs and has since formed and fronted the Isrites, The Big Kids, Edgar Jones & the Joneses and Free Peace. He has also played as a session musician for several artists including Ian McCulloch, Paul Weller, Saint Etienne and Ocean Colour Scene.

Career

Early career: to 1994

See main article: The Stairs. Jones was born in Liverpool. With Ged Lynn and Paul Maguire, he formed The Stairs, a 1960s-orientated band with English beat, garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic influences.[1] The band's manager, Jason Otty, would often play harmonica, and the band would later feature 2nd guitarists Carl Cook and Daniel Kearney before splitting in 1994.[2] The band achieved cult status with the album Mexican R'n'B (1992).[3]

1995–2001: The Isrites and the Big Kids

Jones also formed The Isrites with Sean Payne later of the Zutons, Paul Maguire's younger brother Dave and Luke Goldberg later of Book,[4] and the Big Kids again with Sean Payne and Russell Pritchard later of The Zutons, and Howie Payne of The Stands. Although both bands split before releasing anything, material has since been issued on several compilations released by The Viper Label.

2002–2011: Edgar Jones & the Joneses and Free Peace

Having ditched the Summertyme pseudonym, Edgar released his first solo album as Edgar "Jones" Jones in 2005 entitled Soothing Music for Stray Cats[5] which encompassing elements of jazz, R&B, soul and doo wop and was recorded on a portastudio donated by Johnny Marr. Edgar then followed the album up with Gettin' a Little Help from The Joneses backed by The Joneses in 2007 and The Masked Marauder in 2009.

Jones formed Free Peace in August 2008 with his nephew Nick Miniski and guitarist Stuart Gimblett.[6] An EP was released via gigs, mail order and independent record shops in Liverpool and were in the process of recordings their debut album, which was set to be released on their own label, Loud Soul in October 2009.[7] [8] The band saw Jones return to the 3 piece rock sound of The Stairs and they had reportedly finished about 20 songs for their debut album.[9] Despite regularly gigging, including major support slots with Oasis, the band split up with an album entitled "Stormy Weather" released under the name "The Edgar Jones Free Peace Thing" in September 2011 on the Viper label over s year after the band disbanded.[10]

2012–present: Solo work

Under the name Edgar Summertyme, Jones released his fourth solo album Sense of Harmony in 2012.

In November 2015, Jones reunited with The Stairs. The Stairs later released a collection of rare recordings with The Viper Label.

In April 2016, Jones' Soothing Music For Stray Cats was re-issued on limited edition vinyl via The Viper Label and Mellowtone Records.

In July 2016, Jones put together a backing band for Johnny Echols of Love, for a show at Sefton Park dubbed From Liverpool With Love featuring guest vocalists such as John Power, Dave McCabe and Nick Ellis.[11]

Jones' latest solo record entitled The Song Of Day and Night was released in 2017, on Skeleton Key Records. Jones put together a touring band, dubbed 'The New Joneses' and toured the UK with fellow Skeleton Key acts as well as headlining the Kristian Ealey Stage at Smithdown Road Festival in Sefton Park's Palmhouse.

Collaborations

Since the break-up of the Stairs, Jones has worked with Ian McCulloch on Mysterio (1992),[12] Paul Weller (live and appears on Live at the Royal Albert Hall DVD, 2000),[13] Johnny Marr in an early version of the Healers (where he was replaced by Alonza Bevan previously of Kula Shaker), Saint Etienne, Cherry Ghost on their Thirst For Romance (2007)[14] and Lee Mavers following the departure of John Power from the La's.

Associated acts

Years activeAct
1990–1994The Stairs
  • Edgar Summertyme – vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards (1990–1994)
  • Ged Lynn – backing vocals, guitar (1990–c. 1993)
  • Paul Maguire – drums (1990–1994)
  • Carl Cook – guitar (c. 1993/1994)
  • Daniel Kearney – guitar (c. 1993/1994)
  • Jason Otty – backing vocals, harmonica (c. 1990/1993)
1995–1998The Isrites
  • Edgar Summertyme
  • Luke Goldberg
  • Dave Maguire
  • Sean Payne
1999–2001The Big Kids
  • Edgar Summertyme – vocals, guitar
  • Howie Payne – guitar
  • Russell Pritchard – bass
  • Sean Payne – drums
2003–2008Edgar Jones & the Joneses
  • Edgar Jones – vocals, bass (2003–2008)
  • Kristian Ealey – vocals (2003)
  • Candie Payne – vocals (2003)
  • Mike Marshall – guitar (2003–2004)
  • Nick Miniski – drums (2003–2004)
  • Paul Molloy – guitar (2005)
  • Jamie Backhouse – guitar (2005–2008)
  • Austin Murphy – saxophone, guitar (2005–2008)
  • Grenville Harrop – drums (2005–2006)
  • Hugo Harrison – double bass (2005–2006)
  • Robert Stringer – piano (2005–2008)
  • Karl Penney – drums (2006–2008)
  • Paul Blakesley – bass, double bass (2006–2008)
2008–2010Free Peace
  • Edgar Jones – vocals, bass
  • Stuart Gimblett – guitar
  • Nick Miniski – drums

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetails
Mexican R'n'B
(as The Stairs)
  • 1st The Stairs album
  • Released: 25 May 1992
  • Label: Go! Discs
  • Format(s): CD, LP
Soothing Music for Stray Cats
(as Edgar "Jones" Jones)
  • 1st solo album
  • Released: May 2005
  • Label: Viper
  • Format(s): CD, download
  • Reissued 2016
  • Label: Viper & Mellowtone Records
  • Format(s): LP
Gettin' a Little Help from The Joneses
(as Edgar "Jones" Jones)
  • 2nd solo album
  • Released: July 2007
  • Label: Viper
  • Format(s): CD, download
The Masked Marauder
(as Edgar Jones & Friends)
  • 3rd solo album
  • Released: March 2008
  • Label: Viper
  • Format(s): CD, download
Who Is This Is
(as The Stairs)
  • 2nd The Stairs album
  • Released: August 2008
  • Label: Viper
  • Format(s): CD, download
Stormy Weather
(as The Edgar Jones Free Peace Thing)
  • 1st Free Peace album
  • Released: 18 September 2011
  • Label: Viper
  • Format(s): CD, download
Sense of Harmony
(as Edgar Summertyme)
  • 4th solo album
  • Released: 16 August 2012
  • Label: Viper
  • Format(s): CD, download
Morphic Fields
(as Edgar Summertyme)
  • 5th solo album
  • Released: 28 October 2013
  • Label: Viper
  • Format(s): CD, download
The Song of Day and Night
(as Edgar Jones)
  • 6th solo album
  • Released: 14 April 2017
  • Label: Skeleton Key
  • Format(s): CD, download
Reflections of a Soul Dimension(as Edgar Jones)
  • 7th solo album
  • Released 28 April 2023
  • Label: Steropar
  • Format(s): CD, LP, download

Compilation albums

TitleDetails
Right in the Back of Your Mind
(as The Stairs)
  • The Stairs compilation album
  • Released: 6 June 2006
  • Label: Viper
  • Format(s): CD, download
Keep It On: The Isrites & Big Kids Sessions 1995–2000
(as Edgar Summertyme)
  • The Isrites and The Big Kids compilation album
  • Released: 15 July 2013
  • Label: Viper
  • Format(s): CD, download
The Way It Is: 25 Years of Solo Adventures
(as Edgar Jones)
  • Compilation album
  • Released: 22 January 2021
  • Label: Cherry Red
  • Format(s): CD, download

Singles & EPs

Compilation appearances

Session discography

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.ready-steady-go.org.uk/stairs.html stairs
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20040405123640/http://www.tastemusic.com/sjp/show_details.php?prod_id=11 Carl Cook
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jan/16/jazz.popandrock Edgar Jones & the Joneses | Music
  4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/articles/2008/01/28/edgar_jones_and_the_joneses_review_feature.shtml Tyne – Entertainment – Edgar Jones and the Joneses @ The Cluny
  5. http://www.the-viper-label.co.uk/releases/029/029-T.html Edgar 'Jones' Jones 'Soothing Music for Stray Cats' CD-029 – Tracks
  6. Web site: Edgar Jones . Manchesteracademy.net . 20 June 2009 . 19 March 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140826113340/http://www.manchesteracademy.net/Artist%20Pages/edgarjones.html . 26 August 2014 . dmy .
  7. Web site: Edgar Jones ready to let loose new line-up . Liverpoolecho.co.uk . 19 March 2013. /
  8. http://www.loudsoul.co.uk/index.php/artists
  9. Web site: Jade Wright . Lifestyles – Features – Edgar Jones ready to let loose new line-up . Liverpool Echo . 10 April 2009 . 19 March 2013.
  10. Web site: The Edgar Jones Free Peace Thing 'Stormy Weather' – DL078 – Details . The Viper Label . 18 September 2011 . 19 March 2013.
  11. Web site: Between Clark & Hilldale - Johnny Echols featuring Nick Ellis . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/Rm7j_yj0vOQ . 2021-12-17 . live. . 2016-07-25 . 2020-05-06.
  12. http://www.villiersterrace.com/line-up/lineup.htm The Ultimate Echo and the Bunnymen Discography
  13. http://www.discogs.com/Paul-Weller-Live-At-The-Royal-Albert-Hall/release/2184078 Paul Weller – Live At The Royal Albert Hall (DVD) at Discogs
  14. http://www.discogs.com/Cherry-Ghost-Thirst-For-Romance/release/1979170 Cherry Ghost – Thirst For Romance (CD, Album) at Discogs