David
Fufkin:
June,
2004

Elvin Jones (1927 to 2004)

On May 19, 2004, the world lost possibly the greatest drummer of all time in any genre. Elvin Ray Jones is best known for his seminal work as drummer for John Coltrane between the years 1960 to 1966. With Coltrane, he recorded the masterpiece, A Love Supreme, possibly the one CD besides A Kind of Blue by Miles Davis or Take 5 by Dave Brubeck, that defines improvisational jazz as we know it.

His notoriety grew from his hometown of Detroit (Pontiac, actually) where he played with visiting musicians such as Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. His status grew in New York when he joined forces with Charles Mingus. He appeared on hundreds of incredible recordings.

His unique combination of exceptional meter, control, speed, brush technique, mastery of rudiments, ride cymbal propulsion and overall sense and taste made him the prototype drummer. He could play at any tempo, execute any style and groove at any time signature. He blended into and defined the stops and starts of some of the greatest music recorded in the Twentieth Century. I can't say enough about Mr. Jones except to urge you, if you have never heard it, to buy A Love Supreme today. Then, after you have come down from that high in about a month, go purchase Coltrane Live at the Village Vanguard.

Everyone at Fufkin wishes to extend our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the great Mr. Elvin Jones.

__________________________________________________

To reach any other page contained in this month's update on Fufkin.com, read the home page for the appropriate link and click on it. You can also search the site from any page using the search box located at the top of each page. Merely type in the word, phrase, name of the band, recording, name of the Fufkin writer that you are looking for or Whatever in the search box, and then click on "Search". If you would like to e-mail us, go to the About Us page for a list of e-mail addresses.

Go back to the home page by clicking here

____________________________________________________