The legendary jazzman turns 87 on July 31. He and his trio have just released a new CD, For My Father, and he joins John Patitucci and Jack De Johnette for the Great Jazz Trio's upcoming CD, S'Wonderful.

In the first half of 2005, Jones has appeared as leader, co-leader or sideman on a half-dozen releases. Jones has influenced several generations of pianists, and he continues to perform live. Born in Vicksburg, Miss., and raised in Pontiac, Mich., Jones arrived in New York in 1944, and quickly became a key figure on the be-bop scene, working with all the jazz greats, including Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald and John Coltrane.

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