| Author | Message | ||
  dvdmike (dvdmike) 4-Laureate Username: dvdmike Post Number: 106 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.208.234.61 |
Jazz drummer Elvin Jones passed away at age 76 from heart failure. He was one of the great ones. | ||
Wonder B (wonder_b) 5-Doyen Username: wonder_b Post Number: 279 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.48.238.74 |
R.I.P Mr Elvin Jones... one true jazz legend ... Wonder B | ||
Jim G (jim_g) 1-Arriviste Username: jim_g Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.20.140.8 |
Elvin Ray Jones, b. 9/9/27, Pontiac, Michigan. Younger brother of pianist Hank (b.1918) and Thad (b.1923). His first instrument was the cornet (Thads?) Elvin gigged locally in Pontiac & Detroit; military service 1946-49, returned to Pontiac. Elvin replaced Art Mardigan in the Billy Mitchell Quintet, houseband at the Blue Bird Inn. This group, which included Thad Jones, recorded in 1953. Elvin's dynamic and unique sound is in evidence on these records; musicians who heard him with this group were not surprised to hear what he did with 'Trane(1960-66), "any group he got with, he'd take over...kicking people out in the street and shit", according to his longtime friend and fellow drummer, Frank Gant. Indeed, Jones and Coltrane were one of the great reed/rhythm partnerships (like Bird/Max), and the John Coltrane Quartet was as innovative as Armstrong's Savoy Ballroom Five and Charlie Parker's Quintet. Jones' groups were exciting and his drumming, like that of Max Roach, was a sight to behold. Like Max, Elvin BECAME the drums, they were an extension of his body... Elvin was a warm, friendly person with a ready smile and a whole lot of creativity. When he moved to NYC in 1955, he quickly became a 'first call' drummer. Most musicians loved playing with him but some felt his playing was overwhelming...he was a unique and powerful drummer who graced us with five decades of beauty and brilliance. I read in JazzTimes that Elvin recently finished his autobiography. How wonderful it is to have not only his notes & tones, but also his words. He was a holy man. | ||
Vonnie (vonnie) 4-Laureate Username: vonnie Post Number: 152 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Elvin Jones, R.I.P. Another Jazz Legend making music in the heavens. | ||
Sudi Kamau (sudi_kamau) 3-Pundit Username: sudi_kamau Post Number: 53 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.117.198.35 |
I was deeply saddened when I was told that this event was soon to come a couple of weeks ago. The bass player on my gig said that a friend of his had seen Elvin perform and he was extremely thin and frail. His wife had to help him onto the bandstand. He also said that she told the audience that his last wish was to be able to play until the end, and it appears to have been essentially granted. The world is a poorer place today. | ||
zaya (isaiah) 3-Pundit Username: isaiah Post Number: 31 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 134.74.44.245 |
Wow, my favorite jazz drummer next to Max Roach... Both of these cats are like GODS to my ears, my soul... Whew, Elvin, thanks papa, for all you gave to the world as a scientist of sound, mathematically laying it down... Your rat-a-tat-tat-tat will never die as long as I've got my speakers... Lookin' for the perfect beat one day, and I found it in you! Say hello to John for me... Peace! Isaiah | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 566 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.156.232 |
We were told of Elvin's passing & funeral when we were in L.A. last week ,a great loss. Rest in peace Mr. Jones, you'll be in good company with Billie, Bird, Diz, Dinah and the rest of the greats! Jimmy & Jeanie Scott J's Way Jazz | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 567 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.156.232 |
Sudi; Your right, Elvin had not been well for sometime but he specifically asked his wife to keep letting him do the "gigs", like all jazz legends he wanted to keep on performing right up to the end. This was discussed at a meeting we had at David Ritz's house with him and Mabel John. David will be baptized by Mabel at her church in South Central on July 25th. We plan to be there. S.S. | ||
Larry (larry) 3-Pundit Username: larry Post Number: 46 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 69.3.132.219 |
I didn't follow Elvin's career closely, but, I knew his seminal recordings and that he was GIANT. As Jim G said, he WAS the drums: Artist and intrument 'melded completely' - the sum greater than the parts. When I think of Elvin I see the footage from "My Favorite Things". The steam shooting from his head, his smile, his intensity, as he lays down the groove for Coltrane. A GIANT OF JAZZ HAS MOVED ON. R.I.P. ELVIN | ||
Chi Drummer (chidrummer) 1-Arriviste Username: chidrummer Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 64.107.153.120 |
A true american icon has passed on, but he went out the way a musician should; playing until the very end. Let the Heavens swing Elvin | ||
Don (don) 4-Laureate Username: don Post Number: 166 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.77.34.127 |
I mean no disrespect to The Late Alvin Jones the greatest drummer that ever was. I'am taken back of hearing of his passing. I heard so many rummors of his passing over the years, that is this really the truth, has he really passed? Is it true? | ||
Destruction (destruction) 2-Debutant Username: destruction Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 69.139.236.125 |
Zeke waddup, hit with some email at your earliest. I liked Roach and Blakely....but Elvin was my personal fave for his passion. I never saw a drummer play with such controlled fury and passion. RIP. | ||
zaya (isaiah) 3-Pundit Username: isaiah Post Number: 33 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 149.174.164.24 |
Brother, What's up!(smile!) Long Time Gone, Nuh! Yesss, I will hit'cha on the e-spot soon as I can, Mr. Man In A Hurry!(smile!) Yeah, Blakey is another one of them cats with the ungodly spank, and I thought I was gonna lose it when we lost him, too... But life goes on, don't it??? Peace! Isaiah |
