Oliver Jones, the renowned Montreal jazz pianist, organist, composer and arranger, has died, CTV News has confirmed. He was 91 years old. Jones died after a long illness. In a statement posted on Instagram, Jones’ family and record company, Justin Time Records, said they were deeply saddened to announce his passing. “An exceptional musician, a gentle soul and a friend who touched so many lives, his kindness and immense talent left a lasting mark on so many people and generations, and his memory will continue to inspire us,” the post reads. “He will be profoundly missed. We kindly ask that his family’s privacy be respected as they grieve this tremendous loss. Merci/Thank you.” Jones was born in Montreal on Sept. 11, 1934, and raised in the Little Burgundy neighbourhood. He began playing piano at age five and has a multitude of accolades to his name to attribute to decades of his work. Jones was awarded the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in 2005, Canada’s highest honour in the performing arts. In 2003, he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. He was appointed an officer to the Order of Canada in 1993. The following year, he was appointed a knight for the Ordre national de Québec, and two years later, he was appointed a commander for the Order of Montreal in 1996. Jones won the Montreal Jazz Festival’s Oscar Peterson Award in 1990, named after his lifelong idol. He performed at Montreal’s Jazz Festival for numerous years and won two Juno Awards, several Félix awards and the Special Achievement Award at the SOCAN Awards in Toronto.
