Leading New York flute player has died
mainDavid Caines Burnett reports the death of Harold Jones:
Born in Chicago Illinois, Harold Jones began his musical education as a violin student at the age of ten, but when he heard another student play thepiccolo, he decided that the flute was the instrument he wanted to play. He studied flute with David Underwood while attending Dusable High School in Chicago. He then became a member of the Chicago Civic Orchestra under conductor George Schick.
Mr. Jones came to New York in 1955 and was awarded a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music, where he received the “Outstanding Woodwind Player” award prior to graduation. He continued his studies with the renowned Marcel Moyse and in 1966 made he New York recital debut at Town Hall, later appearing at CAMI Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center and at Jordan Hall in Boston. He has been soloist with numerous orchestras, including: The Bach Aria Orchestra, The New York Sinfonietta, American Symphony Orchestra, Brooklyn Philharmonia, National Orchestral Association, Municipal Concerts Orchestra and Symphony of the New World. He has appeared frequently with Today’s Artist in New York, San Francisco and at the Yachats Music Festival in Oregon. Mr. Jones has performed in recitals across the country as well. As a recitalist and teacher he participated in the 1988 and 1989 Manhattan School of Music International Summer Youth Festival in Taiwan. Mr. Jones was honored at a performance in Jackson, Tennessee, where he was presented with the Key to the City by the Mayor.
Mr. Jones was on the faculties of Westchester Conservatory of Music, Manhattanville College and he is the past president of the New York Flute Club. Besides his busy solo performance schedule, he also collaborated with the prize winning Audubon Quartet, the Fresk Quartet, internationally renowned pianist Leon Bates and guitarist Peter Segal. He recorded the Vivaldi flute concerti for the Library of Recorded Masterpieces and has four solo albums to his credit, on Antara Records: “From Bach to Bazzini”, “Afternoon Fantasies”, “Let Us Break Bread Together” and “This Little Light of Mine.”
UPDATE: Harold Jones Funeral
When: Friday, January 23, 2015
Time: 3PM – 5PM
Where: Saint Peter’s Church
619 Lexington Avenue
(54th Street & Lexington Avenue)
New York, NY 10022
Harold was a great artist and a great person. I was honored to be his friend and enjoyed very much working with him.
Harold was the consummate professional NY musician. He was a gentleman and a gentle man. Truly a mensch in his own time. His artistry touched hundreds of thousands of audience members, students and colleagues. He will be missed.
Besides being a great artist, Harold was — as Art puts it — a real mensch.
When I lived in NYC, I had a wonderful friend and neighbor, Harold Jones. We lived in the same building, and we walked our dogs together during frigid winter nights and scorching summer evenings. Harold was my first flute teacher, and I studied with him for five years before I moved upstate. He was a superb teacher, a kind and gentle man, a brilliant musician, a loving father, a devoted husband, and a good friend. He was an inspiration to many.
I’m coming to this late, but Harold Jones was a dear friend and colleague for many years. Not only a phenomenal flutist, musician and teacher, but also an avid, passionate tennis player and overall man about town. I will always remember Harold, looking dapper in his signature jaunty hat, flute case perpetually under his arm, smiling broadly when we met by chance on the street. RIP dear Harold.
I come late as well. Class act. I worked with Harold on his tennis game at Manhattanville College where he taught some flute. He needed little help and could have whipped me. I have always played his album “Let us Break Bread Together”. Funny, too!
Joel Daunic