Elayne Viola Jones | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 30, 1928 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | December 17, 2022 (aged 94) Walnut Creek, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupation | Timpanist |
| Instrument | Timpani |
| Years active | 1949–1998 |
| Member of | San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera, American Symphony Orchestra, Symphony of the New World, Percussive Arts Society |
Elayne Viola Jones (January 30, 1928 – December 17, 2022) was an American timpanist. An African American woman, born in NYC to Barbadian immigrants, she overcame challenges. From learning piano to excelling in timpani, she graduated from Juilliard, her mentors being Saul Goodman and Morris "Moe" Goldenberg. Jones's career was marked by remarkable firsts. She became the first Black opera orchestra member in 1949, played with esteemed ensembles, and won a blind audition to join the San Francisco Symphony in 1972, becoming the first black principal in a major American orchestra. Also, Jones was the first documented African American to play with the New York Philharmonic. In 2019 she became the fourth female member of the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame.
Amidst the struggle for equality, she co-founded the Symphony of the New World, advocating integration. However, she faced both racism and gender bias throughout her career, including a tenure controversy.
Outside music, Jones married George Kaufman and raised three children. She died at 94 due to dementia.