Born in NYC to Barbadian immigrants, Elayne Jones became one of the most prolific and important percussionists in music history. Playing with the San Francisco Symphony and Opera, and the American Symphony Orchestra, Jones became the first Black opera orchestra member of the New York City Opera in 1949, where she played for eleven years! In 1958 she became the first documented African American to play with the New York Philharmonic, and in 1960 she became part of the newly created American Symphony Orchestra led by Leopold Stokowski. In 1972 she won a blind audition for the San Francisco Symphony under the supervision of Seiji Ozawa, making her the only African American to attain such a position at the time. She co-founded the Symphony of the New World, which advocated integration. Overcoming racism and sexism, Elayne Jones stood strong and provided the world her artistry and vision.

Elayne Jones began her musical journey at a young age. Growing up in Harlem, she started in her local church choir, learning piano and voice as a child. One day, her mother saw that Duke Ellington was giving out scholarships to Juilliard. Jones was the only black and only female to recieve one!

Following her graduation at Juilliard, Elayne went on to work as a freelance musician in New York City, Cleveland, San Francisco, and many other major operas and symphonies across the country. Her spirit and talent became widely known. Elayne Jones was a trailblazer, opening her own, integrated symphony. She gave hundreds of lectures in San Francisco and taught at Bronx Community College in the 60s and 70s. In her retirement, she wrote a 310 page autobiography called, “Little Lady with a Big Drum.” In 2019, she became the fourth female member of the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame.

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(Bio courtesy of Encompass New Opera Theatre)