Jack DeJohnette

Born in Chicago in 1942, Jack DeJohnette is widely regarded as one of jazz music's greatest drummers. Music appreciation flourished in DeJohnette's family. He studied classical piano from age four until fourteen before beginning to play drums with his high school concert band and taking private piano lessons at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. DeJohnette credits his uncle, Roy l. Wood Sr., who was one of the most popular jazz DJ's in the South Side of Chicago, later vice president of the National Network of Black Broadcasters, as the person who initially inspired him to pursue music.

In his early years on the Chicago scene, he led his own groups and was equally in demand as a pianist and as a drummer. He played R & B, hard bop, and avant-garde and was active with the experimentalists of the AACM in its early days, with the likes of founder Muhal Richard Abrams, Roscoe Mitchell and Joseph Jarman. In 1966, he drummed alongside Rashied Ali in the John Coltrane Quintet. International recognition came with his tenure in the Charles Lloyd Quartet, one of the first jazz groups to receive crossover attention, also alerting the world to Keith Jarrett's skills.

Jack DeJohnette has collaborated with most major figures in jazz history. Some of the great talents he has worked withare John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, SonnyRollins, Sun Ra, Jackie McLean, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Keith Jarrett, Chet Baker, GeorgeBenson, Stanley Turrentine, Ron Carter, Lee Morgan, Charles Lloyd, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Abbey Lincoln, Betty Carterand Eddie Harris, who is responsible for convincing DeJohnette to stick with drums because he heard DeJohnette's natural talent.

It was in 1968 that DeJohnette joined Miles Davis's group in time for the epochal upheaval marked by "Bitches Brew,"an album that changed the direction of jazz. In his autobiography, Miles Davis said, "Jack DeJohnette gave me a deep groove that I just loved to play over." Jarrett soon followed DeJohnette into the Davis group, and the drummer's first ECM recording, the duet “Rutya and Daitya” was made in 1971. Working with Miles also brought about collaborations with John McLaughlin, Chick Corea and Dave Holland.

In 1968, he recorded his first album as a leader on the Milestone label, called “The DeJohnette Complex,” where Jack played melodica along with his mentor Roy Haynes on drums. In the early '70s he recorded “Have You Heard” in Japan and two albums for Prestige, called “Sorcery” and “Cosmic Chicken.” These early sessions united Jack with Gary Peacock, Bennie Maupin, Stanley Cowell, Miroslav Vitous, Eddie Gomez, Alex Foster and Peter Warren.

Jack began to record as a leader for ECM, with each of his successive groups, Directions, New Directions, and Special Edition, making important contributions to the evolution of jazz. The New Directions band featured two musicians who would have long-term associations with DeJohnette: John Abercrombie and Lester Bowie. A friend from Chicago days, Bowie played intermittently with DeJohnette until the end of his life. Most notably, Lester and Jack collaborated on a duo album called “Zebra,” which was a world beat-influenced video soundtrack and CD. Abercrombie continued to work with DeJohnette in the Gateway Trio, along with Dave Holland. Special Edition, with its rotating front line, helped introduce the sounds of David Murray, Rufus Reid, Howard Johnson, Arthur Blythe, Chico Freeman, Greg Osby, Michael Caine, Lonnie Plaxico, Gary Thomas and John Purcell to a wider audience. DeJohnette has recorded as a leader on Columbia, Landmark, MCA/GRP, and Toshiba/EMI/Blue Note, but the bulk of his recordings are on the ECM label.

While continuing to lead his own projects and bands, DeJohnette has also been a 20 year member of the immensely popular Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack DeJohnette trio. DeJohnette has appeared on more ECM albums than any other musician; his numerous recordings for the label display his subtle, powerful playing and the ‘melodic'approach to drums and cymbals that makes his touch instantly recognizable.

Jack is also known for his cutting-edge collaborations; his“Parallel Realities” CD, with Herbie Hancock and Pat Metheny toured successfully and received much acclaim. Another major collaboration was a CD called “Music for the Fifth World,” inspired by Jack's studies with a Seneca native elder, named Grandmother Twylah Nitsch. This project brought together the likes of Vernon Reid, Will Calhoun, John Scofield, traditional native american singers, Michael Cain, and Lonnie Plaxico. Most recently, he has also performed and recorded with Bobby McFerrin, Don Byron, Danilo Perez and Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

Jack has received many awards for his music, including “New Directions” which received the prestigious French Grand Prix du Disque, Charles Cros award in 1979. “Album, Album” and “Special Edition” both won album of the year in the annual Downbeat readers' polls. “Audio-Visualscapes” became album of the year in the Downbeat annual critics' poll in 1989. “Parallel Realities” won album of the year in Japan. In 1991, “Earth Walk” won album of the year and recording of the year in Japan. Jack has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1991. There is an extensive list of awards for drumming, including at least 14 years of the Downbeat polls, the NY Jazz awards, and the Jazz Central online awards, along with many international awards.

DeJohnette's drumming, though originally influenced by masters including Max Roach, Art Blakey, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Art Taylor, Rashied Ali, Paul Motian, Tony Williams, and Andrew Cyrelle, has long drawn on sources beyond “jazz.” Thirty years ago, he was already describing his work as “multi-directional music.”

“As a child, I listened to all kinds of music and I never put them into categories. I had formal lessons on piano and listened to opera, country and western music, rhythm and blues, jazz, swing, whatever. To me, it was all music and great. I've kept that integrated feeling about music, all types of music, and just carried it with me. I've maintained that belief and feeling in spite of the ongoing trend to try and compartmentalize people and music.”

As well as his previous credentials, DeJohnette has also composed soundtracks for both TV and video. These include a soundtrack in collaboration with Pat Metheny for a PBS play called “Lemon Sky”; a soundtrack for a documentary called “City Farmers” by Meryl Joseph and a video production with fellow percussionist Don Alias on Homespun tapes, “Talking drummers”, which includes a documentary that was made of the whole process. Jack also enjoyed a cameo appearance as a member of the“Alligator Blues Band” in the Blues Brothers 2000 movie.

Beyond his own groups, some of DeJohnette's most wide-open playing can be heard in his recordings ofspontaneously improvised music with Keith Jarrett (“AlwaysLet Me Go”, “Inside Out”, and “Changeless”); John Surman (“Invisible Nature”, “The Amazing Adventures of Simon Simon,” and the transitional sequences in Surman's musicfor reeds, drums, piano and brass ensemble, “Free and Equal”); Michael Cain and Steve Gorn (“Dancing WithNature Spirits”); and Don Alias, Michael Cain, and Jerome Harris (“Oneness”).

DeJohnette continues his ongoing visionary projects, including the release of his new “Resonating Bells” instruments in collaboration with cymbal manufacturers, Sabian; forming a group celebrating the works of Jack's friend and masterdrummer Tony Williams, featuring John Scofield and Larry Goldings; and the first release, “Music in the key of Om” onhis newly launched record label, “Golden Beams Productions.”

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Remembering Jack DeJohnette: His Musicianship and Legacy

by David W. Daniels
November 11, 2025

A show in tribute to the contributions to jazz of the late drummer/keyboardist/composer Jack DeJohnette. Music by Mr. DeJohnette with other musicians including Geri Allen, Keith Jarrett, John Abercrombie, Jan Hammer, and more. Music from the groups Gateway, Compost, and the Charles Lloyd Quartet, with whom he performed.Playlist Charles Lloyd “Sombrero Sam" from Dream Weaver (Atlantic) 00:00 Jack DeJohnette “Brown, Warm, And Wintry" from The Jack DeJohnette Complex (Milestone) 7:46 Jackie McLean “Soft Blue" from Jacknife (Blue Note) ...

Radio & Podcasts

Focus on the late Jack DeJohnette

by Len Davis
November 9, 2025

Today we remember a truly wonderful musician--a creative soul whose passion and artistry touched everyone who heard him play. Throughout his life, Jack DeJohnette performed with countless bands and ensembles, always bringing a melodic sensitivity, strong rhythmic drive, and an openness to every musical style he explored. From jazz and fusion to avant-garde and beyond, he blended genres with ease, helping to shape the sound of modern music. His influence, warmth, and spirit will continue to resonate through every note ...

Big Band in the Sky

Remembering Jack DeJohnette: Unlimited Imagination

by Ian Patterson
October 30, 2025

It is with sadness that All About jazz must report the passing of NEA Jazz Master Jack DeJohnette--one of the most respected and influential of modern jazz drummers. He died of congestive heart failure on October 26, 2025. He was 83. DeJohnette belongs in the pantheon of great jazz drummers. If there were a Mount Rushmore of jazz drummers--and it would need to be one big old rock--Jack DeJohnette would certainly be there. His unique and ...

Play This!

Jack DeJohnette: Song for World Forgiveness

by Carl Medsker
October 29, 2025

On October 26, 2025, the highly musical master percussionist Jack DeJohnette died peacefully. During the journey from his birthplace, Chicago, to his adopted home, Woodstock, NY, he created an enduring, diverse and sonically scintillating legacy. From his early days with Charles Lloyd, through the electric Miles Davis period, to the legendary Standards Trio with Keith Jarrett and Gary Peacock, The Golden Quartet with Wadada Leo Smith and his own Special Edition and New Directions bands (and much more), he danced ...

Play This!

RIP Jack DeJohnette

by Frank Housh
October 29, 2025

The great Jack DeJohnette passed away on October 26, 2025. His epic career is matched only by Miles Davis, whom DeJohnette began playing with in 1969 and later introduced to fusion in 1999's Bitches Brew (Sony Records, 1970). He played with everybody, from Miles to Pat Metheny. One of my favorites was his work with Bill Evans and Eddie Gomez on Some Other Time: The Lost Session From The Black Forest (Resonance Records, 2016). It was recorded in ...

Interview

Meet Jack DeJohnette

by Craig Jolley
October 28, 2025

This article was first published on All About Jazz in March 2002. One of the most creative and propulsive musicians in the history of jazz, drummer/pianist/composer Jack DeJohnette has played with most leading-edge jazz musicians of the time, usually at their request. He invariably brings out another side and a freshness in whoever he plays with. He is most noted as a drummer, but those who have heard him on his piano record (Landmark) and elsewhere realize he ...

Album Review

George Colligan: Live At The Jazz Standard

Read "Live At The Jazz Standard" reviewed by Carl Medsker

by Carl Medsker
May 31, 2025

During its relatively brief life, the Jazz Standard hosted many wonderful evenings of creative music. Artists performing in the basement beneath the barbecue restaurant ranged from Houston Person to Roy Haynes to Wadada Leo Smith. The Mingus Big Band held forth on most Monday evenings. Sadly, the club succumbed in 2021 to the economic pain caused by the pandemic. In memorium, we now have a robustly recorded live set from 2014 by the George Colligan trio. It is ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Jack DeJohnette

Source: Michael Ricci
August 9, 2019

All About Jazz is celebrating Jack DeJohnette's birthday today!

Born in Chicago in 1942, Jack De Johnette is widely regarded as one of jazz music\'s greatest drummers. Music appreciation flourished in De Johnette\'s family. He studied classical piano from age four until fourteen before beginning to play drums with his high school concert band.and taking private piano lessons at the Chicago conservatory of music. De Johnette credits his uncle, Roy l. Wood Sr.... Read more.

Place our Musician of the ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Jack DeJohnette

Source: Michael Ricci
August 9, 2018

All About Jazz is celebrating Jack DeJohnette's birthday today!

Place our Musician of the ...
read more

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Jack DeJohnette

Source: Michael Ricci
August 9, 2017

All About Jazz is celebrating Jack DeJohnette's birthday today!

Place our Musician of the ...
read more

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Jack DeJohnette

Source: Michael Ricci
August 9, 2016

All About Jazz is celebrating Jack DeJohnette's birthday today!

Place our Musician of the ...
read more

Recording

ECM Records Releases Jack DeJohnette's "In Movement"

Source: Universal Music Enterprises
April 16, 2016

Jack DeJohnette (drums, piano, electronic percussion) Ravi Coltrane (tenor, soprano and sopranino saxophones ) Matthew Garrison (electric bass, electronics) “A trio of compatible ideals. Featuring Ravi Coltrane on saxophones and Matt Garrison on electric bass, it’s both earthy and elastic, capable of sneaking in and out of song form, disinclined to rush toward resolution.” –Nate Chinen, The New York Times There is a lot of history concentrated in Jack DeJohnette’s adventurous new trio. Fifty years ago, as a guest with ...
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Music Industry

New Vinyl-Only Company Uses Innovative New Model To Release World-Class Artists

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations
October 14, 2015

Initial year's membership brings private material by Jack DeJohnette, Frank Kimbrough, Noah Preminger, Don Friedman, Ben Allison and Leo Genovese. Guests include Esperanza Spalding, Ted Nash, John Patitucci, Billy Hart and more. “A new kind of record label with a curated repertoire of world class musicians. Newvelle ships six impeccably produced and beautifully packaged vinyl LPs to your door every year. This music is available only on vinyl and solely through Newvelle." Elan & J.C. Explain: Members of Newvelle receive ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Jack DeJohnette

Source: Michael Ricci
August 9, 2015

All About Jazz is celebrating Jack DeJohnette's birthday today! Born in Chicago in 1942, Jack De Johnette is widely regarded as one of jazz music\'s greatest drummers. Music appreciation flourished in De Johnette\'s family. He studied classical piano from age four until fourteen before beginning to play drums with his high school concert band.and taking private piano lessons at the Chicago conservatory of music. De Johnette credits his uncle, Roy l. Wood Sr.... Read more. Place our Musician of the ...
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Festival

Newport Jazz Festival Adds Jack DeJohnette And Lisa Fischer To 2015 Lineup

Source: Carolyn McClair Public Relations
January 30, 2015

Newport Jazz Festival Adds Jack DeJohnette: Made in Chicago and Ms. Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton to 2015 Lineup NEWPORT, RI – Celebrating music made in Chicago and one of the world’s premier backup singers, George Wein is pleased to announce the additions of Jack DeJohnette: Made in Chicago and Ms. Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton to the lineup of the 2015 Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management July 31 - August 2. “One of the joys ...
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