Jones worked as touring musician for Dizzy Gillespie and played in a studio band that backed Elvis Presley. Jones was a groundbreaking music executive. At age 28 he was the first African American to be named vice President of Mercury Records. As a composer he created memorable themes to many movie and tv shows including the themes to Sanford and Son and the Bill Cosby Show. As and arranger and producer Jones worked with many of the biggest names in music during the 2nd half the 20th century. The list of artists is too numerous to list but included Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, U2, Aretha Franklin and most notably Michael Jackson with who Jones produced the best selling album of all time, Thriller. Jones was also a success in film. Jones first film that he co-produced, The Color Purple, won 11 Oscars including Best Picture and served as the launching pad for the career of Oprah Winfrey.
As an activist Jones worked with Martin Luther King Jr to create the Institute of Black American Music. Jones was involved with many philanthropic organizations and took a special interest in Africa. 1985 saw the release of the Jones co-produced and conducted the hit We Are the World. The charity single, recorded by a supergroup that features dozens of the biggest names in pop music from that time, drew global attention to humanitarian issues in Africa and has raised $222 million (inflation adjusted) in aid.