Jill Jones began her singing career when she was just 15 years old, joining the pop star Teena Marie on tour as a backing vocalist. In 1981, Teena Marie was tapped to open for Prince on his Dirty Mind Tour, and it was at one of those shows that Jones and Prince first crossed paths and began a friendship and musical partnership that would last for years.
Jones can be heard singing vocals on Prince's album 1999 and appears in the video for the title track, and she also had a small cameo appearance in his movie Purple Rain. Over the course of the mid-1980s, Prince and Jones began working on music together, and by 1987 they had created a full album of material that was written by Prince and sung by Jones.
What was so great about Prince is that he could stand in your shoes and write something as if it’s from your point of view.”
Jill Jones, Huffington Post, 2016
The tracks on Jill Jones were recorded between 1982 and 1986, and because of the sporadic nature of the recordings the album features playing by many of Prince's associates from the mid-1980s, including the full lineup of the Revolution (on the song "G-Spot," initially intended for the soundtrack to Purple Rain), members of the Family, and horn players from Prince's live band.
Jill Jones Album Credits
Jill Jones vocals Prince various instruments Bob Minzer saxophone Chris Hunter saxophone Roger Rosenberg saxophone Jim Pugh trombone Jon Faddis trumpet Randy Brecker trumpet Eric Leeds saxophone Atlanta Bliss trumpet Steve Gadd drums Hugh McCracken guitar Steve Stevens guitar Mike Chase keyboards Rob Mounsey piano Bobby Z. drums BrownMark bass guitar Wendy Melvoin guitar Lisa Coleman keyboards Dr. Fink keyboards Jellybean Johnson drums St. Paul Peterson bass guitar
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