Jazz Articles about Jack DeJohnette

Jack DeJohnette and Foday Musa Suso: Music from the Hearts of the Masters

by AAJ Staff
May 6, 2005

Conventional wisdom has it that Africa is the home of the drum, and over the years many an American musician has looked to the Dark Continent for rhythmic inspiration. But this particular collaboration turns the tables on that assumption, so to speak, by placing veteran jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette in the company of a kora (21-stringed West African harp/lute) player from the Gambia. Foday Musa Suso is no stranger to this sort of joint effort, having worked closely with Herbie ...

Jack DeJohnette Latin Project

by C. Andrew Hovan
February 28, 2005

Hill Auditorium (University of Michigan) February 19, 2005

For some 40 years now, Jack DeJohnette has been one of the leading jazz drummers in the country, chameleon-like in his ability to adapt to any situation. Last year, he truly expressed the disparate and variegated nature of his musical personality while recording Don Byron's Ivey Divey and launching three of his own unique ensembles. First, there's Celebrating Tony Williams (a tribute to the late drum master that features John ...

Jack DeJohnette: Rarum XII: Selected Recordings

by Joshua Weiner
March 18, 2004

Jack DeJohnette could be described as an “architectural” drummer: he plays as if unfolding a master plan, the long corridors of his backbeat leading on all sides to little rooms containing counter-rhythms, shifting accents, and dynamic changes. His drumming can also display an unusually melodic spirit, likely due to his considerable talents for both piano and composition. All of these gifts are on display in his judiciously-chosen contribution to ECM’s Rarum compilation series.

The disc kicks off ...

A Fireside Chat with Jack DeJohnette

by AAJ Staff
October 14, 2003

A gal pal of mine turned me onto Bitches Brew (pre- A Love Supreme/Bitches Brew, I was an '80s new wave junkie). This eventually led to my purchase of Live-Evil (the most underrated and killing '70s Miles record). On both sessions is one Jack DeJohnette, who made his bones with the iconic trumpeter, but is best known for his integral role in what has become affectionately Keith Jarrett's Standards Trio. His discography reads like a jazz uber-saxophonists list: Joe Henderson, ...

Stan Getz: My Foolish Heart

by AAJ Staff
January 22, 2003

Opening with a snappy “Invitation," this newly-found home recording shows off what producer Joel Dorn calls “prime Getz." Rodgers and Hart’s “Spring is Here" wafts and splashes through a fragrant rain chilled by Jack DeJohnette’s shivery brush work, but DeJohnette sharpens the tempo for Chick Corea’s “Litha," sparking Stan and Richie Beirach to burning life.

This is not another “Desafinado" compilation. This is Getz cookin’ it up with a team of ‘big name’ players. Dave Holland’s bouncy ...

Jack DeJohnette & John Surman: Invisible Nature

by Jim Santella
April 12, 2002

Creative music casts many impressions. Primarily a drums and soprano saxophone session, Invisible Nature swings impressionism through a dramatic collection of scenery. Improvising cohesively, the duo creates an enjoyable album that takes jazz beyond the mainstream. The pair of veteran artists forges a concert performance spontaneously. Recorded live on tour at the Berlin Jazz Festival and Finland's Tampere Jazz Happening in November 2000, this ECM session floats through space and time, pausing to add regional connotations along the way. The ...

Joe Farrell: Moon Germs

by David Rickert
April 12, 2002

Moon Germs is one of the few true jazz albums put out by CTI, a label whose artists gravitated towards the commercial possibilities of soul jazz, primarily to put food on the table. It’s a jaw dropper, one of the truly classic albums from the era. Farrell, known primarily for his work with Elvin Jones in the sixties and Chick Corea in the early seventies, has wisely recruited three up and comers from the new fusion scene for a session ...