The last old master drummer has died, Roy Haynes, at age 99. He was the last of the “magnificent seven” (coined by Lenny White): Kenny Clarke, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Roy Haynes, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams. He, Elvin and Tony especially are the real triumvirate of modern guys. He was a very slick, modern player from the beginning— he plays a lot of the same stuff on his early records that you hear later on. Maybe I can attempt to write a full blown analysis of his playing and influence soon.
I used to listen to this record in my headphones constantly when I was at USC, it’s a fitting send off:
I think the late 80s weren’t a real high point for his public profile— this record put him front and center in a lot of people’s consciousness:
JoeMorello.net: It is with great sadness that we report Joe’s passing on March 12, 2011. His impact on the world of music and on all those whose lives he touched will live forever. Four on […]
UPDATE: Someone has helpfully pointed out that this happened in 2014, and that the current year is indeed 2015, and I am a complete stoner. I wish I could blame it on Oregon’s now-quite-legal recreational marijuana, […]
Mortality is a real bitch— just in the past couple of days we’ve lost Idris Muhammad, and Frankie Dunlop. I can’t ignore their passing, but I’m no good at just showering superlatives on people, which […]