One of the Last Jazz Giants
One of the last jazz giants
He played with legends like John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, and Miles Davis: Jack DeJohnette was one of the most important jazz drummers of his generation. In late October, the American drummer, pianist, and composer passed away at the age of 83.
With his fluid style, exceptional musicality, and incredibly diverse repertoire, DeJohnette was one of the most sought-after drummers in music history. Blues, bebop, hard bop, soul jazz, and jazz-rock: few have mastered as many different styles as he did. Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Sun Ra, Jackie McLean, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Keith Jarrett, Chet Baker, George Benson, and Herbie Hancock—the list of artists and stars he collaborated with is impressive. Starting in the 1970s, he also became the regular drummer for the German label ECM. In their Munich studios, he recorded numerous albums such as Special Edition (with David Murray and Arthur Blythe), Song X (with Ornette Coleman, Pat Metheny, and Charlie Haden), and New Directions (with John Abercrombie and Lester Bowie)—as a sideman, leader, or under his own name.
"I’m a color artist," this purebred musician once said in an interview. He played the drums "like a painter applying pastels, oils, and watercolors." This free spirit of jazz blended and integrated countless influences and sounds. He explored the electric guitar and synthesizer, as well as New Age and African music...
Few other artists have managed to incorporate sounds from all musical genres and make their drums resonate like he did. As a child, he listened to all kinds of music without ever categorizing them. He had listened to operas, country and western music, rhythm and blues, swing, and jazz, as he recounted in interviews. To him, it was all just music—and it was all amazing.
Jack DeJohnette was born on August 9, 1942, in Chicago. From ages 4 to 14, he played the piano before switching to drums in high school and studying music. One of his role models was jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal (1930–2023), a child prodigy and idol to generations of musicians. His career began in 1966 in New York. He played in saxophonist John Coltrane’s ensemble, then in Charles Lloyd’s quartet, which also included the young pianist Keith Jarrett. His fame took off when Miles Davis invited him to replace Tony Williams in his group, where he stayed for three years. He can be heard on the groundbreaking double album Bitches Brew, released in 1970, which marked a turning point in jazz and rock history and the rise of a new genre: jazz-rock or fusion. He also contributed to Davis’ album A Tribute to Jack Johnson (1971, with John McLaughlin). In the 1980s, he formed a legendary trio with pianist Keith Jarrett and bassist Gary Peacock. One of the trio’s most important albums is undoubtedly Bye Bye Blackbird, a tribute to trumpeter Miles Davis, who passed away in 1991 and whom DeJohnette had played with between 1968 and 1971.
DeJohnette’s musicality was considered rare among jazz drummers. Since he also played piano, he always heard harmonies, melodies, and rhythms when playing drums. Westerners don’t typically view drums as a melodic instrument but rather as accompaniment. For him, however, they were a tool for playing melodies.
Between freedom, elegance, and rhythmic ingenuity, he leaves behind an immense legacy.
hgb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE_D6Kve1SM
He played with legends like John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, and Miles Davis: Jack DeJohnette was one of the most important jazz drummers of his generation. In late October, the American drummer, pianist, and composer passed away at the age of 83.
With his fluid style, exceptional musicality, and incredibly diverse repertoire, DeJohnette was one of the most sought-after drummers in music history. Blues, bebop, hard bop, soul jazz, and jazz-rock: few have mastered as many different styles as he did. Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Sun Ra, Jackie McLean, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Keith Jarrett, Chet Baker, George Benson, and Herbie Hancock—the list of artists and stars he collaborated with is impressive. Starting in the 1970s, he also became the regular drummer for the German label ECM. In their Munich studios, he recorded numerous albums such as Special Edition (with David Murray and Arthur Blythe), Song X (with Ornette Coleman, Pat Metheny, and Charlie Haden), and New Directions (with John Abercrombie and Lester Bowie)—as a sideman, leader, or under his own name.
"I’m a color artist," this purebred musician once said in an interview. He played the drums "like a painter applying pastels, oils, and watercolors." This free spirit of jazz blended and integrated countless influences and sounds. He explored the electric guitar and synthesizer, as well as New Age and African music...
Few other artists have managed to incorporate sounds from all musical genres and make their drums resonate like he did. As a child, he listened to all kinds of music without ever categorizing them. He had listened to operas, country and western music, rhythm and blues, swing, and jazz, as he recounted in interviews. To him, it was all just music—and it was all amazing.
Jack DeJohnette was born on August 9, 1942, in Chicago. From ages 4 to 14, he played the piano before switching to drums in high school and studying music. One of his role models was jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal (1930–2023), a child prodigy and idol to generations of musicians. His career began in 1966 in New York. He played in saxophonist John Coltrane’s ensemble, then in Charles Lloyd’s quartet, which also included the young pianist Keith Jarrett. His fame took off when Miles Davis invited him to replace Tony Williams in his group, where he stayed for three years. He can be heard on the groundbreaking double album Bitches Brew, released in 1970, which marked a turning point in jazz and rock history and the rise of a new genre: jazz-rock or fusion. He also contributed to Davis’ album A Tribute to Jack Johnson (1971, with John McLaughlin). In the 1980s, he formed a legendary trio with pianist Keith Jarrett and bassist Gary Peacock. One of the trio’s most important albums is undoubtedly Bye Bye Blackbird, a tribute to trumpeter Miles Davis, who passed away in 1991 and whom DeJohnette had played with between 1968 and 1971.
DeJohnette’s musicality was considered rare among jazz drummers. Since he also played piano, he always heard harmonies, melodies, and rhythms when playing drums. Westerners don’t typically view drums as a melodic instrument but rather as accompaniment. For him, however, they were a tool for playing melodies.
Between freedom, elegance, and rhythmic ingenuity, he leaves behind an immense legacy.
hgb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE_D6Kve1SM