Oliver Jones
The piano prince of Little Burgundy — eight decades of jazz, from a church hall to the world's greatest stages.
Obituary for Oliver Jones
It is with deep sadness that his family and the label Justin Time Records announced the death of pianist Oliver Jones on July 22, 2026, at the age of 91, after a long illness.
Born in Little Burgundy and trained by Daisy Peterson Sweeney, Oscar Peterson's sister, he carried Montreal jazz to the world's greatest stages for more than eight decades. He is survived by his son Richard, his loved ones, and generations of musicians he inspired.
Details of the ceremonies will be shared by the family in the coming days.
Biography
Oliver Theophilus Jones was born on September 11, 1934 in Little Burgundy, the southwest Montreal neighbourhood that was the cradle of Canadian jazz. His father was an organist at Union United Church, where the boy gave his first public recital at the age of five. At that same age he began studying with Daisy Peterson Sweeney, Oscar Peterson's sister, who remained his mentor.
He played professionally on the Montreal scene from 1953 to 1963, then became musical director of the Kenny Hamilton Show Band in Puerto Rico, where he spent sixteen years. Back in Montreal in 1980, he devoted himself to jazz full time. With his friend, bassist Charlie Biddle, he founded the club Biddle's Jazz and Ribs — later the House of Jazz — where he became the resident pianist.
More than twenty albums followed, most of them on Justin Time Records, along with a yearly presence at the Montreal International Jazz Festival from 1981 to 1999. He recorded and toured with Oscar Peterson, Clark Terry and Ray Brown, and supported the early careers of Diana Krall and of the young Daniel Clarke Bouchard. A dedicated teacher, he taught at Laurentian University and McGill University from 1987 to 1995.
He announced his retirement from the stage in 2016, after a farewell concert in Barbados, his family's homeland.
When I play, I hear colours. Sometimes I really feel the piano is an extension of my heart and my body.
Career
Profession, key milestones, achievements and honours.
Profession
Jazz pianist, organist, composer and arranger
Also
Educator and mentor (Laurentian, McGill)
Active years
1939 to 2016
Range
Jazz, swing, blues, gospel
Label
Justin Time Records
- 1934
Born on September 11 in Little Burgundy, Montréal.
- 1939
First public recital at age five at Union United Church; begins lessons with Daisy Peterson Sweeney.
- 1953-1963
Professional career on the Montreal scene.
- 1964-1980
Musical director of the Kenny Hamilton Show Band in Puerto Rico.
- 1980
Returns to Montréal and turns to jazz full time.
- 1981
Co-founds the Biddle's Jazz and Ribs club with Charlie Biddle; becomes its resident pianist.
- 1984
Releases his first solo album, The Many Moods of Oliver Jones.
- 1986
First Juno Award for the album Lights of Burgundy.
- 1990
Oscar Peterson Award from the Montreal International Jazz Festival; the NFB releases the documentary Oliver Jones in Africa.
- 1993
Named an Officer of the Order of Canada.
- 1994
Receives the National Order of Québec (knight).
- 2005
Governor General's Performing Arts Award.
- 2009
Second Juno Award for Second Time Around.
- 2013
Canada Post honours him with a stamp in its Black history tribute.
- 2016
Announces his retirement from the stage after a farewell concert in Barbados; a mural is dedicated to him in Little Burgundy.
- 2023
Inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
- 2026
Dies on July 22 in Montréal, at the age of 91.
Honours
Order of Canada
Officer (1993)
National Order of Québec
Knight (1994)
Juno Awards
Two (1986, 2009)
Governor General's Award
Performing arts (2005)
Canadian Music Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2023
Honorary doctorates
Six
Others
Oscar Peterson Award, Félix awards, Martin Luther King Jr. Award, Order of Montreal
Notable albums
A discography of more than twenty albums, mostly on Justin Time Records.
Guestbook
Share a memory or a word of comfort with the family.
Frequently asked questions
When did Oliver Jones die?
Oliver Jones died on July 22, 2026, at the age of 91, after a long illness.
How old was Oliver Jones?
He was 91, having been born on September 11, 1934 in Little Burgundy, Montréal.
Who was his piano teacher?
Daisy Peterson Sweeney, Oscar Peterson's sister, who taught him from the age of five.
What were his most important honours?
Officer of the Order of Canada, Knight of the National Order of Québec, two Juno Awards, the Governor General's Performing Arts Award and induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Sources & references
Information cross-checked against public sources.
