Elvin Jones
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Elvin Ray Jones (September 9, 1927 – May 18, 2004) was a jazz drummer. Elvin began playing professionally in the 1940s, working with the Army Special Services program, Operation Happiness, and in 1949 had a short-lived gig in Detroit’s Grand River Street club. Eventually he went on to play with artists such as Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Wardell Gray. In 1955, after a failed audition for the Benny Goodman band, he found work in New York, joining Charles Mingus’s band, and releasing a record called J is for Jazz.
In 1960, he joined with the classic John Coltrane Quartet, which also included bassist Jimmy Garrison and pianist McCoy Tyner. Jones and Coltrane often played extended duet passages, both giving and taking energy through their instruments. This band is widely considered to have redefined “swing” (the rhythmic feel of jazz) in much the same way that Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker et al did during earlier stages of jazz’s development. He stayed with Coltrane until 1966. By that time, Jones was not entirely comfortable with the direction Coltrane was moving in and his polyrhythmic style clashed with the “multidirectional” approach of the group’s second drummer, Rashied Ali.
After leaving the Coltrane group, Jones played with Duke Ellington, and eventually formed his own touring group. Jazz Machine, normally a quintet, continued in the same musical direction.
In 1960, he joined with the classic John Coltrane Quartet, which also included bassist Jimmy Garrison and pianist McCoy Tyner. Jones and Coltrane often played extended duet passages, both giving and taking energy through their instruments. This band is widely considered to have redefined “swing” (the rhythmic feel of jazz) in much the same way that Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker et al did during earlier stages of jazz’s development. He stayed with Coltrane until 1966. By that time, Jones was not entirely comfortable with the direction Coltrane was moving in and his polyrhythmic style clashed with the “multidirectional” approach of the group’s second drummer, Rashied Ali.
After leaving the Coltrane group, Jones played with Duke Ellington, and eventually formed his own touring group. Jazz Machine, normally a quintet, continued in the same musical direction.
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Shoutbox
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hookbags wrote:
Genius
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Diothalamus wrote:
he is probably the best drummer to ever live. maybe tied with tony williams, but they each got their own thing going.
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Theeboon wrote:
Pure energy... I was listening to Coltrane's Village Vanguard sessions this morning and he blew me away as usual.
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JHWalker wrote:
God of drums. His work on Sun Ship is incredible
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thesuperalive wrote:
Best drummer to ever exist.
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HalaGorani wrote:
wow where is all the love this guy is insanely talented
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Parisblues wrote:
"sweet and lovely " ;))))
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Parisblues wrote:
who knows whats doin jo jones jr ? (jo jones's son ) ?
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The_Pear wrote:
Fucking beast!
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imarealist wrote:
so great! <3
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Degarmo wrote:
best jazz drummer
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Afuera wrote:
Elvin Jones live at the lighthouse! Woohaaa
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swingsetone wrote:
Hmmmm....Elvin is the undisputed heavy champ of jazz drums...or maybe drumming period! To check this....at age 70+ Joe Lavano-Trio Fascination, Marcus Roberts- The Truth is spoken here. Elvin for President Elvin...reincarnated
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BlindWilliam wrote:
Whadda groove thang. And While yer here, mang, join: Great Black Music. P E A C E > bw
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PJMargo, lovebeatloko, gohegane and 19 other people added Elvin Jones to their libraries. Monday afternoon
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Koxo4 tagged Elvin Jones with drums, drummer and jazz. December 2011
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