Jamaican musician Desmond Desi Jones passes away aged 65

Desmond Desi Jones, a well-known Jamaican drummer and songwriter passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2024, leaving his fans and followers in deep sorrow. Read on to learn more about his death.

Desmond Desi Jones passed away

According to reports, the author of the book “The Art Of Reggae Drumming” and Jamaican musician passed away in his sleep on May 11, 2024. Musician Desi Jones was 65 when he left the world, leaving his fans grieving. Despite the confirmation from his bandmates that he passed away last night in his sleep, the exact cause of Desi Jones’s death hasn’t been released yet. This page will be updated once his cause of death is revealed by his bandmates or family members.

About Desmond ‘Desi’ Jones

Desi Jones was born on February 21, 1959, in Kingston, Jamaica. His musical journey began at the age of seven when he started playing the recorder and conga drums at the Institute of Jamaica. By the time he was twelve, he had picked up the drumset and also became a trombone player in the Salvation Army brass band.

Desmond ‘Desi’ Jones’s Career

In 1976, at the age of seventeen, Desi Jones embarked on his professional music career as the drummer for the Sonny Bradshaw Seven, a renowned Jamaican dance band of that era.

In 1980, Desi Jones co-founded the reggae group “CHALICE” and contributed to the recording of at least seven albums featuring original material with the band. His groundbreaking instructional book, “The Art Of Reggae Drumming,” was published in 1983, marking the world’s first comprehensive guide to reggae drumming techniques.

In 1988, he established the band “SKOOL,” which has extensively toured and collaborated with renowned artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Barrington Levy, Mutabaruka, and Marcia Griffiths. “SKOOL” also served as the house band for the Reggae Sunsplash tours across the USA and Japan for numerous years.

Desi Jones’s musical endeavors extend beyond reggae, as he has recorded and toured with esteemed Jamaican jazz musicians like Monty Alexander and Ernie Ranglin.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Desi Jones’s family, bandmates, and fans. Desmond Desi Jones will be forever remembered and cherished through the beautiful gift of music he bestowed upon the world. Sending love and strength during this time of mourning.”