Jazz Articles about Elvin Jones

Wayne Shorter: Night Dreamer

by John Kelman
March 22, 2005

By the time he made this recording, a few short months before he was to join Miles Davis' groundbreaking second quintet, saxophonist Wayne Shorter had already earned a reputation as a player combining heady intellectualism with a more visceral approach as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He'd also released four records for the Vee-Jay label that demonstrated how, while he'd learned a great deal with Blakey, he was developing his own voice, albeit still in the hard bop ...

Elvin Jones Jazz Machine: The Truth: Heard Live at the Blue Note

by John Kelman
October 13, 2004

Recorded five years before his passing earlier this year, The Truth: Heard Live at the Blue Note paints a picture of Elvin Jones before ill health weakened his powerful and individual style. With an expanded version of his Jazz Machine that includes saxophonist Antoine Roney, trombonist Robin Eubanks, trumpeter Darren Barrett, pianist Carlos McKinney, long-time musical companion and bassist Gene Perla, and guest saxophonist Michael Brecker on two tracks, Jones' signature polyrhythmic approach and muscular sound are in full evidence. ...

Elvin Jones 1927-2004: A True Moment In Time

by Jack Gold-Molina
October 9, 2004

Elvin Jones, one of the most influential and accomplished drummers in history, passed away Tuesday May 18 due to heart failure. Most notable for his work with John Coltrane, he helped to revolutionize the way jazz and contemporary music are heard and played. Described by Louie Bellson as “Mother Earth coming alive with syncopation," there isn't a drummer today in the world of jazz and contemporary music that hasn't felt his influence. Born on September 9, 1927, ...

Good-bye, Elvin

by Ronald B. Weber, MD
July 14, 2004

On May 18, 2004 the world lost perhaps the most influential drummer of all time, Elvin Jones . He happened to be one of my heroes. Incredibly muscular and robust most of his life, Elvin succumbed to chronic heart failure. For those of us who knew him, it seemed inconceivable that he could become as frail as he was described near the end of life.The youngest of ten, Elvin was born in Pontiac, Michigan, growing up in a ...

Joe Henderson: Inner Urge

by Norman Weinstein
July 2, 2004

This brilliant remastering of saxophonist Joe Henderson's most emotionally urgent album also raises the possibity that it is the ultimate showcase of his distinguished career. The deference to Coltrane is obvious: pianist McCoy Tyner and drummer Elvin Jones are on board on every selection, although shifting their styles to mesh with Henderson. The deference to Getz is more subtle, coming clear on Henderson's stingingly lyric ballad feature, “You Know I Care," and his melodic recasting of Cole Porter's “Night and ...

Elvin Jones: In Memoriam

by AAJ Staff
May 24, 2004

Elvin Jones: September 9, 1927 - May 18, 2004

AAJ pays special tribute to the life and legacy of drummer Elvin Jones...

“I feel very, very gratified when people are complimentary to what I have done or appreciated it with sincerity... It makes me feel that maybe I did do something that was proper and that was right."

~ Elvin Jones

The heaviest cat I ever knew... no question. He was way beyond the music--he really knew the deal! What ...

Happy Birthday Elvin Jones!

by Florence Wetzel
May 20, 2004

Legendary drummer Elvin Jones is turning 75 on September 9th, and to celebrate the occasion Jones is performing at the Blue Note for two weeks. The celebration kicks off on Jones' birthday, and that night Jones' group, the Jazz Machine, will perform with special guest Wynton Marsalis.

Jones' relationship with Marsalis goes back many years. “Wynton's a good friend. I first saw him and his brother Branford when they were playing with Art Blakey at a jazz festival in Florida. ...