Just a bit more extensively recorded than some of his compatriots on
Harry Smith's 1952 folksong collection
Anthology of American Folk Music,
Coley Jones recorded a total of 17 sides for Columbia, both as a solo act and as the leader of
the Dallas String Band. Before his recording days, he worked in a traveling minstrel show. His
Dallas String Band, with
Sam Harris on guitar and
Marco Washington on bass, recorded ten songs for Columbia between 1927 and 1929. He later led
the Coley Jones String Band, notable as the group where pioneering Texas guitarist
T-Bone Walker got his start (
Washington was his uncle). ~ John Bush, All Music Guide