Sidney Jones - Life and Career

Life and Career

Jones was born in Islington, London. His father, James Sidney Jones, Sr. (1837-1914) originally of Suffolk, was a military bandmaster. His mother was Ann Jones, née Eycott. As a child, Jones moved frequently as his father was transferred to new military stations in England and Ireland. The young Jones learned to play a variety of instruments in the band. In Dublin, he studied with Sir Robert Stewart (1825-1894) of Trinity College. The family later moved to Leeds, where his father became conductor of the Leeds Rifles, was the musical director of the Leeds Grand Theatre and later conducted a band and the Spa Orchestra at Harrogate. Jones was the eldest son and second of six children. His youngest brother, Guy Sidney Jones (1875-1959), also became a conductor and composer whose musical scores included The Gay Gordons (1907).

In 1885, Jones married Kate Linley, an actress, and the couple produced five children.