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Drumming News
This week Scott writes:
North Texas State University offers this one-hour Elvin Jones jazz lecture online. I started watching from the beginning and couldn’t stop until I had watched the entire 60-minute video.
Unfortunately, there is no easy way to promote the video by embedding it, with a link to the original, on my blog. So I’ve edited this clip for promotional purposes. If anyone connected with this video objects, please let me know, I will remove the video.
My hope, as I say, is that this excerpt will persuade viewers to visit the Jazz Lecture Series page and watch Elvin’s full verbal and musical performance.
About Elvin Jones:
Born on September 9, 1927, in Pontiac, Michigan, Elvin Ray Jones emerged from a lineage of musical greatness, being the younger brother of renowned jazz pianist Hank Jones and the late trumpet virtuoso and bandleader Thad Jones. Elvin’s journey into the realm of jazz began in his hometown, where he started gigging around Pontiac, occasionally joining his brothers on stage with borrowed drums. His early years in music took an adventurous turn when, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the Army, spending the subsequent three years honing his craft in a military band.
Upon discharge, Elvin returned to Michigan, armed with newfound skills and a determination to pursue his passion. He delved into Detroit’s vibrant jazz scene, swiftly making a name for himself. His breakthrough came when he secured a spot in the house band at the Bluebird Club, led by Billy Mitchell. It was here that Elvin immersed himself in the pulsating rhythms of jazz, engaging in all-night jam sessions and sharing the stage with prominent musicians who passed through town. His talent caught the attention of bassist Charles Mingus and pianist Bud Powell, leading to a tour in 1955 that expanded his horizons and solidified his place in the jazz world.
In 1956, Elvin made the pivotal move to New York City, where he swiftly integrated himself into the bustling jazz scene. Collaborating with a plethora of artists, including luminaries like Miles Davis, Stan Getz, and J.J. Johnson, Elvin’s distinctive style began to flourish. His groundbreaking recordings, notably alongside Sonny Rollins at the Village Vanguard, showcased his innovative approach to rhythm, marked by thunderous tom rolls, polyrhythms, and a dramatic sense of color.
Joining the John Coltrane Quartet in 1960 marked a significant milestone in Elvin’s career. His symbiotic partnership with Coltrane revolutionized jazz, as they explored new frontiers of rhythm and melody. Elvin’s pioneering approach to the drumset, treating it as a unified musical instrument, paved the way for a more fluid and liberated style of jazz. Collaborating extensively with Coltrane, Elvin’s contributions to seminal albums like “A Love Supreme” and “Ascension” solidified his status as one of jazz’s foremost drummers.
Beyond his tenure with Coltrane, Elvin continued to push boundaries and inspire generations of musicians. Establishing his own groups and collaborating with an array of talents, Elvin remained at the forefront of jazz innovation. His enduring legacy is celebrated not only in his vast discography but also in his induction into prestigious halls of fame and recognition by peers and industry alike. Elvin Jones’ transcendent talent and unwavering dedication to his craft ensure his place among the pantheon of jazz legends, his influence resonating through the rhythms of time.
About Scott:
Scott K. Fish was part of the original team that created Modern Drummer, he started as a freelance writer in 1976 and was the Managing Editor of Modern Drummer magazine from 1980-1983. By the time he left in October 1983, he had written almost half of Modern Drummer‘s feature articles. His interviews and articles were enjoyed by readers and artists alike, his questions were not run of the mill, as Bill Bruford put it, your questions are about “life beyond the cymbals.”
Scott K Fish is a public relation, writing, marketing, and communications expert across all media, with a 25-plus year track record in high profile positions.
Scott is an extremely active blogger and he often posts the original interviews with the artists that he used as reference for his article. We encourage you to follow Scott’s blog at www.ScottkFish.com, we will continue to post one of his posts weekly.
Please consider contributing to support Scott’s ongoing writing. We need to support writers like Scott who continue to educate us, the readers, about important drummers, their contributions, and how their work has been so impactful. You can support him at the link: HERE
