Herbert Kelsey Jones (June 17, 1922 – October 10, 2004) was a Canadian composer,[1] [2] pianist, harpsichordist, and music teacher.[3]
Jones was born in South Norwalk, Norwalk, Connecticut; he grew up in Portland, Maine and moved to New Brunswick in 1945.[4]
In 1950, as a young man, Jones founded the Saint John Symphony Orchestra, now known as Symphony New Brunswick,[5] [6] and served as its conductor until 1953.
Jones moved to Montreal, Quebec in 1954, where he became a member of the faculty of McGill University's Faculty of Music. He composed "Songs of Experience" for the Montreal Bach Choir in 1955.[7] He also performed as a solo pianist and duo pianist with his wife Rosabelle Jones (née Smith) from the early 1950s until an accident that rendered her paraplegic in 1974.
At McGill Jones taught a variety of courses through the years, including History, Harpsichord and Piano, and Theory. he was best known as a teacher of Counterpoint (Modal, Tonal, Fugue & Canon). He became a Canadian citizen in 1956.[8]
In Montreal, he was active as a teacher, performer and composer. He was a founding member of the Baroque Trio of Montreal, along with Mario Duschenes (flute) and Melvin Berman (oboe). He recorded with Jean-Pierre Rampal, Duschenes, and Kenneth Gilbert on their album project, The art of the Flute.[9]
His work "Fantasy on a Theme" was first performed by the Kingston Symphony Orchestra in 1976.[10]
Jones retired from McGill University in 1984 after which he was granted the title Emeritus Professor.
Some of Jones's compositions include: "Miramichi Ballad", "Sam Slick", Nonsense Songs (Five Limericks & The Table and the Chair (E. Lear)), "Four Pieces for Recorder Quartet", "Nonsense Songs", Prophecy of Micah, "Passacaglia and Fugue" and Jazzum Opus Unum.