The Jones Sisters Trio
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Gospel music |
| Founded | 1955 |
| Headquarters | Cleveland , United States |
| Products | Albums |
The Jones Sisters Trio was a gospel music ensemble from Cleveland, Ohio, known for releasing five albums throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The trio consisted of siblings Cheryl (born 1945), Gail (born 1947), and Phyllis Jones (born 1949).
Early years
Growing up in Cleveland, the sisters began their gospel singing journey in church during the early 1950s, inspired by their parents, Howard and Wanda Jones. They soon gained exposure through appearances on local television and church events, performing under the name "The Jones Sisters Trio." After moving to Liberia in 1960, they participated in Billy Graham crusades held in Monrovia, where their performances were met with great enthusiasm. Prior to their return to Cleveland, Billy Graham dedicated the home they had in Liberia to their ministry work, an event attended by prominent figures such as Liberian President William V.S. Tubman and Vice President William Tolbert.
Career
By 1966, the Trio had released two albums under World Records and performed at the Harlem Crusade Association event at the Apollo Theater, entertaining an audience exceeding 12,000 people. Over the course of the late 1960s and into the 1970s, they produced three more albums. Cheryl’s marriage in the early 1970s led to a significant decline in both their ministry engagements and formal recording projects, although the sisters occasionally reunited for performances.
Subsequent years
In later decades, the sisters have maintained a more modest public presence while continuing to perform sporadically.
Gail pursued a solo career with one album release. In 1979, she married Cleveland Indians player Andre Thornton, with whom she has two children and also helped raise Andre Jr., his son from a previous marriage. Additionally, Gail introduced Phyllis to Thornton’s teammate Pat Kelly, whom Phyllis wed in 1979; together they have a daughter named April Marie.