Willie Jones III

Who is Willie Jones III?

Willie Jones III is a jazz drummer.

He has played, toured, and/or recorded with Horace Silver, Roy Hargrove, Arturo Sandoval, on the Grammy-winning album Hot House, Hank Jones and Herbie Hancock.

His group Black Note released several albums in the 1990s. He is appreciated by jazz musicians for his exceptional speed and control, together with his use of a wide range of textures which characterize most of his playing. He is a master of many styles and moves quickly and easily between be-bop, big band, avante guard, and Latin jazz grooves. He has regularly played with pianist Eric Reed, as the drummer for Wynton Marsalis' Jazz at Lincoln Center, and has several CDs released as a leader on his own label, playing hard bop and swing.

In 2000, Jones founded an independent jazz label, WJ3 Records.