NYC Music Scene Mourns Loss of Venue Pioneer **Billy Jones**
Beloved Booker and Entrepreneur Dies at 45 After Battle with Glioblastoma
A vital force in New York City’s independent music landscape, **Billy Jones**, co-founder of Baby’s All Right and Nightclub 101, has died at 45 following a battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer. His passing leaves a significant void in a community he helped nurture for over two decades.
A Career Built on Passion
After arriving in New York City in the early 2000s, **Billy Jones** quickly transitioned his love for live music into a career. He began booking shows at the now-closed Sin-é, followed by stints at Elvis Guesthouse and the Dance. His talent for identifying emerging artists and creating welcoming spaces became his hallmark.
In 2013, **Jones** and **Zachary Mexico** opened Baby’s All Right in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The 280-capacity venue quickly became a crucial launching pad for artists like **SZA** and **Billie Eilish**, offering intimate performances before they achieved mainstream success. According to a 2023 report by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), independent venues like Baby’s All Right contribute over $8.4 billion annually to the U.S. economy. NIVA Economic Impact Report
“It’s a feeling.”
—**Billy Jones**, Baby’s All Right
Champion of All-Ages Shows
**Jones** was a vocal advocate for inclusivity, particularly regarding age restrictions at his venues. He believed in providing opportunities for younger music fans to experience live shows. “You know, there will be 10 super smart kids who are fans and really want to be there. For us to exclude them based on age isn’t cool, we want to give them the opportunity to experience the music,”
he told Brooklyn Magazine in 2016.
Recent Ventures and Legacy
Most recently, **Jones**, alongside **Tom Moore**, launched Nightclub 101 within the historic Pyramid Club, following a soft launch in late 2024. They also opened Funny Bar, a jazz-focused bar and restaurant on the Lower East Side, earlier this year. These venues continue his commitment to fostering a diverse and vibrant music scene.
Tributes have poured in from artists and industry peers. **Cassie Ramone**, **Alix Brown** of La Femme, and **Windser** were among those expressing their grief and admiration on social media. Neon Indian’s **Alan Palomo** shared on Instagram, “An innumerable amount of bands have cut their teeth in that space and gone on to do many a great musical deed. A lot of my favorite NYC memories are at Baby’s All Right, Elvis’s Guest House, and Pianos; courtesy of Billy. Rest in peace, bud.”
The teams at Baby’s All Right, Night Club 101, and Funny Bar released a statement saying, “He was one of the best to ever do it. We are holding him in the light.”
A memorial will be held at Baby’s All Right in early July; details will be announced soon. **Jones**’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and shape the New York City music scene for years to come.
