Montreal honours jazz legend Oliver Jones with funeral filled with music and tributes
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Legendary jazz pianist Oliver Jones was honoured at a funeral service filled with music and tributes in Montreal's Little Burgundy neighbourhood.
- Family and friends remembered Jones as a generous, talented, and humble man who had a deep connection to his community and the Union United Church.
- Tributes highlighted his significant impact on the jazz community, his mentorship of young musicians, and his lifelong dedication to the local jazz scene.
Montreal's Little Burgundy neighbourhood resonated with the sounds of jazz and gospel music as mourners gathered at Union United Church to celebrate the life of legendary jazz pianist Oliver Jones. The service was a heartfelt tribute to a man remembered by family and friends as generous, talented, and deeply humble.
I am mourning an angel. How can I say farewell, or even goodbye, to the angel who has been my whole life for a quarter of a century?
His widow, Monique Leclerc Jones, shared her grief, calling him "an angel" and the center of her life for a quarter of a century. Richard Jones, his son, eulogized his father, recalling their travels and shared love for golf, while imagining him joyfully making music in heaven with other musicians. Jones had a lifelong connection to Union United Church, having played piano there since he was five years old.
The funeral service featured performances and speeches from notable musicians like Ranee Lee and Kim Richardson, underscoring Jones' profound impact on the jazz community. The Dr. Oliver Jones Trio performed one of his compositions, "Lights of Burgundy," a piece that bassist Éric Lagacé, who played with Jones for over a decade, said keeps his music alive.
I like to imagine my dad in heaven now … with a huge smile on his face, joyfully making music with all the other musicians that went before him.
Jones, who died July 22 at age 91, rose to prominence from the same impoverished Montreal neighbourhood as his friend and mentor Oscar Peterson. He studied piano under Peterson's sister, Daisy. Throughout his career, Jones was a member of the Order of Canada and received numerous other accolades. He consistently supported young musicians and championed the local jazz scene, performing annually at the city's International Jazz Festival.
It’s great to have his music live (on) after him.
Alain Simard, founder of the festival, described Jones as a "pillar" characterized by "infinite kindness" and humility, despite his immense success. Jim West, Jones' friend and producer for over 40 years, recalled their shared music tours, including a time in Africa when Jones insisted on organizing concerts for children, a testament to his compassionate nature.
He’s been a pillar. He had such humility and kindness, infinite kindness, and he couldn’t imagine that he would have that success.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Global News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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