(June 13th 1892 - December 8th 1945)

Richard Marigny Jones was born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana in 1892 and grew up in New Orleans where he played alto horn in brass bands before setting on the piano as his main instrument. In 1908 he joined the elite ranks of pianists playing in the Storyville district and later advanced to lead small groups which at times would included Joe 'King' Oliver.

After working as a member of popular local bands under the direction of such noted figures as Armand J. Piron and Papa Celestin, Richard moved to Chicago in 1918 where he became employed by fellow pianist and publisher Clarence Williams. Cutting his first sides for a number of labels in 1923, Jones became a recording supervisor and talent scout for OKeh. -Richard M. Jones' most famous composition is the timeless blues classic "Trouble In Mind".