By Arise Rejoice News Service
Elayne Jones, one of the very first Black percussionists in a major American symphony orchestra, has died from Dementia, according to her family. Ms. Jones was also one of the first female principal musicians for the San Francisco Symphony which she joined in 1972. Throughout her career she led efforts to increase the number of minority and female musicians in symphony orchestras throughout the country. At the time of her passing she was 94 years old.
Two years after joining the prestigious west coast organization, she was denied tenure which led to her filing a sexual and racial discrimination suit against the orchestra. Ms. Jones departed in her third year, dissatisfied that she was still without tenure, and convinced that she was the victim of racial bias.
A musician for more than half a century, Ms. Jones encouraged women and racial minorities to apply for positions in major companies throughout the United States, and around the world. “I think that her greatest contribution to percussion was that she paved the way for women and non-white players in the mostly-white world of classical music,” said Rick Kvistad, the principal percussionist of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra.
Ms. Jones was born in New York City and was raised by her mother, Ometa, and her father, Cecil. Her parents had a piano in their home, and she learn to play it as a young girl. Ms. Jones graduated from the prestigious School of Music & Art and attended Julliard on a music scholarship. One of her major supporters when she was a student was Duke Ellington, the famous musician.
In New York, Ms. Jones worked with the National Urban League to identify instances and patterns of racism in the music industry. Recognized as one of the nation’s great young talents, Ms. Jones was selected as a substitute for the New York Philharmonic. She was the first Black person to perform with that orchestra, according to its records.
Included among the other major companies she performed with are The New York City Opera and the American Symphony Orchestra. She was also one of the founders of Symphony of the New World, a racially and sexually diverse company.
Ms. Jones was a major proponent of ‘blind auditions’ which allow musicians to audition from behind screens so that no one can see their racial or sexual identities. The practice decreased the chance of bias, Ms. Jones argued. Many orchestras use it while hiring talent.
For a number of years, Ms. Jones worked as a freelance musician in New York City. Her autobiography, “Little Lady with a Big Drum,” was published in 2019. Ms. Jones is survived by two daughters, Cheryl and Harriett; one son, Stephen and three grandchildren.
