Elvin is dead

[Guest ariceffron]

donn bennett drum studio email list just sent me the news. he died at his home in new york either today or last night i dont remember what the email said now. rip elvin the great master of modern jazz drumming

[Big Al]

Can anyone confirm this? A quick search of CNN and Yahoo reveals nothing.

[Spontooneous]

Nothing on the Associated Press or New York Times wires as of 4:30 p.m. Central.

Edited May 18, 2004 by Spontooneous

[Brandon Burke]

I just did a Google search (4:45pm CST) and it seems a number of people on a number of different message boards are scratching their heads over this one.

[cannonball-addict]

It's sad but true. Call Don Bennett Drums in Bellevue, WA.

They said two reliable sources (one named something like Kiplinger) called in to inform them. The old thing from a week ago was a rumor. This is real.

Elvin Lives in Our Hearts....

[Jim Alfredson]

Why is this a disrespectful thread if it turns out not to be true? I don't think aric is trying to fool anyone... he got an email that Elvin has passed and thought to spread the word. We all know Elvin has been of ill health lately.

I don't get it.

[mikeweil]

No matter what condition Elvin, the great drum spirit, is in, my thoughts and prayers are with him. I was afraid to read something like this every day, and I suggest we wait until we can confirm this and stay neutral. Considering the description of his state on that gig recently, it's no small wonder. I sincerely do wish him all the best and ask you to join me - I have been thinking about him every day since I read that post. Let's not get overwhelmed by the negative potential of spreading news - or rumors - fast. Stay cool and send him the best of your spirits.

[RainyDay]

This was posted at Jazz Corner by a very reliable source:

Elvin Jones has passed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just got a call from Keiko Jones who told me that Elvin passed away today May 18, 2004 at 2:46 pm.

She said Elvin was happy and peaceful.

I did not know Elvin well, but his contribution to this music cannot be measured or communicated with words.

I will really miss him.

[Jim Alfredson]

That's a real shame, but now he is at peace. He has given the world a treasure on incredible music and we should all be grateful. RIP the great Elvin Jones.

[Guest ariceffron]

ELVIN SHOULD BE REMEMBERED NOT JUST AS A GREAT DRUMMER OF THE MODERN ERA BUT FOR TEACHING YOUNG KIDS ABOUT JAZZ AS WELL. HIS BAND TOURED EXTENSIVELY IN RECENT YEARS AND LOTS OF KIDS LEARNED ABOUT JAZZ FROM HIS CONCERTS

[AfricaBrass]

R.I.P. Elvin

Thank you for all the joy you brought us.

You will be greatly missed.

[sidewinder]

A great drummer and creative artist, yes, but also an extremely kind and down-to-earth guy. So rare in this world. My thoughts go out to Elvin's family and I hope that he is now in peace.

[wesbed]

I purchased the Elvin Jones Mosaic last night. Something just told me it was time to get the Elvin box. I'll be listening to plenty of Elvin this weekend.

[sidewinder]

I have '5/4 Thing' on Disk 4 playing at this very moment - nice and loud. This is as good a way as any to remember Elvin.

[J.A.W.]

Another great jazz musician gone. Very sad news.

[7/4]

I have '5/4 Thing' on Disk 4 playing at this very moment - nice and loud. This is as good a way as any to remember Elvin. 

I was just listening to that cut this afternoon.

They're playin' Evin & Trane on WKCR.org right now.

Edited May 18, 2004 by 7/4

[Jazzmoose]

ELVIN SHOULD BE REMEMBERED NOT JUST AS A GREAT DRUMMER OF THE MODERN ERA BUT FOR TEACHING YOUNG KIDS ABOUT JAZZ AS WELL. HIS BAND TOURED EXTENSIVELY IN RECENT YEARS AND LOTS OF KIDS LEARNED ABOUT JAZZ FROM HIS CONCERTS

For once I agree with Aric.

[mikeweil]

At this point in time, RIP Elvin. Your spirit will guide jazz drums forever.

I started spinning this disc after reading the beginning of this thread ....

[ghost of miles]

Terrible news, if not unexpected. Elvin had so much fire in his blood that I sometimes thought he'd burn on forever... his music certainly will.

[7/4]

Memorial brodcast on WKCR next week.

[Ed S]

Sad news indeed.

I saw Elvin only once - at the Artpark Jazz Festival in Lewiston NY. He was nice enough to sign a copy of A Love Supreme for me. Very friendly guy. He put on a great show that night. I think it's great that he was playing as recently as he was even if he was in rough shape and that the jazz fans who saw him were able to pay tribute to this legend.

It must have been great for him as he neared the end to know that he was so loved, appreciated and respected.

I picked up the Elvin Jones Mosaic about 6 weeks ago and it's been in heavy rotation ever since. Great stuff. Spinning 5/4 thing right now. That whole disc 4 is a monster. What a great way to celebrate his life - boardmembers and fellow jazz fans worldwide are reaching for some Elvin Jones tonight.

For those who don't have the Mosaic, I say fear not the era from which it originates. There is some absolutely kick-ass stuff in this set. Superb, creative, intense, rhythmic. There are a few clunkers as in any complete Mosaic set , but as a set this one is so vastly underrated and overlooked that it's a shame. Order it tomorrow.

Commemorate Elvin tonight.

Edited May 18, 2004 by Ed Swinnich

[sidewinder]

The disk 4 also has 'Three Card Molly'. That's one of the tunes that I really associate with Elvin, he played it at most of the gigs I saw him.

[Shawn]

Tony Williams, Billy Higgins and now Elvin. The Lamp Is Low indeed....

R.I.P. and thank you for all the joyous music you left the world.

[sidewinder]

Here's a link to the Zildjian site with an anouncement of this sad news..

Elvin RIP

[ghost of miles]

I'm going to do a tribute show to him tomorrow night on the radio here in Bloomington. Pulling out a lot of the 50s material with Thad, in addition to the Rollins Vanguard, the Coltrane era, and the Mosaic set.