Calvin Fuzz Jones

Life and career

Jones was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, United States. He was raised on a farm close to Inverness, Mississippi. In his childhood he learned to play both the violin and acoustic bass, before graduating to the electric bass guitar, which became his instrument of choice.

In 1970, he joined the backing band of Muddy Waters, and played with them until 1980. He played on albums such as They Call Me Muddy Waters (1971), Muddy "Mississippi" Waters – Live (1979), and King Bee (1981). He became known for his "strong electric bass playing, rocking stage presence, deep blues singing, and the friendly laugh and smile he had for all".

In the 1980 film, The Blues Brothers, Jones appeared as the bassist in the blues band on Maxwell Street, Chicago, outside the Soul Food Cafe. The same year, Jones, along with others from Muddy Waters backing group, formed the Legendary Blues Band. They recorded seven albums with Jones playing bass, and occasionally providing vocals, before splitting up in 1993.

Jones also recorded with Mississippi Heat appearing on their debut album, Straight From The Heart (1993). His contributed both bass guitar duties as well as singing lead vocal on one track, "Ruby Mae". The song was written by fellow band member Billy Flynn for Jones wife, Ruby Mae Jones. He also appeared at the Long Beach Blues Festival that year.

Jones also had spells playing with the Muddy Waters Tribute Band (You Gonna Miss Me (When I'm Dead & Gone), 1997), the Howlin' Wolf Tribute Band, and the Jelly Roll All-Stars. In 1999, Jones played on Barrelhouse Chuck's debut album, Salute to Sunnyland Slim. He backed Cassandra Wilson on her 2003 album, Glamoured, as well as her recording of "Vietnam Blues, the latter written by J. B. Lenoir.

In later years, Jones lived in Senatobia, Mississippi. He died in Southaven, Mississippi, from complications of lung cancer and a heart attack, in August 2010, aged 84.

Collaboration albums