Jimmy Jones

In a long and successful career Jones has told jokes to Michael Jackson, entertained the Kray Twins and performed for a surprising number of Royal Family members - Prince Charles, Prince Philip and Princess Margaret. TV bosses hated him but Jimmy's outrageous comedy made him a millionaire by his 40s. Not bad for a kid from the rough end of Essex who grew up thinking he's become a priest.

Sweet, Hot and Blue gives lives and careers of 124 musicians whose styles range from jazz to classical and who were born in St. Louis or in the surrounding area. The research includes 57 original personal interviews with the artists. Each person's entry gives stage nicknames, date and place of birth, and biographical highlights. The main emphasis is on band affiliations, club and concert performance dates, and recording credits. The glossary of 186 terms, from axe (an individual's instrument) to woodshed (practice to keep up one's skills), explains some of the slang used in the interviews.