Topic: Sidney Jones

James Sidney Jones (17 June 1861 - 29 January 1946), usually credited as Sidney Jones, was an English conductor and composer, most famous for producing the musical scores for a series of musical comedy hits in the late Victorian and Edwardian periods.

Jones's most famous musical was The Geisha, but several of his musicals were among the most popular shows of the era, enjoying long runs, international tours and revivals.

Jones was born in Islington, London. His father, James Sidney Jones, Sr. (1837-1914) originally of Suffolk, was a military bandmaster. His mother was Ann Jones, née Eycott. As a child, Jones moved frequently as his father was transferred to new military stations in England and Ireland. The young Jones learned to play a variety of instruments in the band. In Dublin, he studied with Sir Robert Stewart (1825-1894) of Trinity College. The family later moved to Leeds, where his father became conductor of the Leeds Rifles, was the musical director of the Leeds Grand Theatre and later conducted a band and the Spa Orchestra at Harrogate. Jones was the eldest son and second of six children. His youngest brother, Guy Sidney Jones (1875-1959), also became a conductor and composer whose musical scores included The Gay Gordons (1907).