ELVIN JONES

[randissimo]

2004, on the “Jazz Program List” site from Larry Applelbaum.

“I saw Elvin last night at Yoshi's here in San Francisco.He could barely make it to the stage, his wife helping him sit and placing the sticks in his hand.

Elvin had trouble hitting the drums but his time and sound was

impeccable.

His wife made an announcement that Elvin was obviously very sick and

has been in the hospital for 3 months and she wanted him to spend his

last moments, at his wish, behind the drums.

He looked about like he weighed 75 pounds and was truly sick...it was

one of the saddest moments of my life. I was so used to seeing him

look fit, happy and powerful.

The last number was announced, Dear Lord, and his wife asked us all to

pray as she hugged him from behind the drums for the entire tune.

I could not stop crying...

Please send prayers to this legend, the great inspirational Elvin!"

and this, from an unidentified doctor, is from the Latin Jazz site:

I was really eager to see Elvin Jones, waiting to see the Black

Thunder pounding those drums. The scenario was perfect, no mikes over

the drums so I though "wow, he can really pound those drums, eh?".

Well, the band came out (2 saxes, pianist and bassist) and the place

went crazy but...no Elvin...and no Elvin...and no Elvin. After about

5 minutes of constant applause, Elvin Jones came out, couldn't walk

and had to be helped by his wife and the band members. We were a

group of physicians and nurses and we all looked at each other with

the same expression in our faces "he is dying of heart failure". His

wife gave him the sticks and the band started playing a bebop-like

tune. It was quite an experience seeing him playing that night. The

stick in his right hand (hitting the cymbal) kept slipping back and

he needed to reposition it. He was certainly off, considering the

timing of the tune. I couldn't see his left hand, but I could not

hear any beats. Similarly with the hi-hat, I did not hear it all

night long. As the performance continued, he looked more ill...in

fact, he closed his eyes once, and grabbed his stomach as if he was

in pain, and everybody in my group got up because we though that he

was going to fall. He finally woke up and continued playing. He took

one solo all night long, and basically what he did was to drop the

sticks on the drum one at a time, at a very slow speed. He did not

have the strength or energy to lift up the sticks from the drum fast

enough. The band sounded great thought. I guess he is like Art Blakey

and surrounded himself with the best young players available. The

bassist kept the rhythm going all night long, working super hard and

the pianist would take very long solos, as both sax players. Elvin

could still swing at a very low speed, but was well complemented by

the bassist and pianist. At the end of the performance, his wife

whose name I couldn't catch, came out and said that Elvin Jones was

very ill, dying from heart failure. She also said that he had not

eaten anything that day but that she had fired his prior 3 physicians

when they said that he was dying and decided to take care of things

herself, booking him continuously until July (she also went on and on

talking about medical insurances, doctors, etc) Elvin did not said a

word all night long, and I actually wondered if was still coherent

enough (which is a common, late event in patients with heart

failure). He stayed there, sitting by his drums for about 20 minutes

after the performance was over. We all gave him a standing ovation, I

guess is the way of thanking him for what he has done. He did wave

goodbye as he was helped out of the stage. We sent him our cards as

there are some options for patients with advanced heart failure

(which we happen to specialize in our group).

I am not sure I can actually describe the feeling I had that night.

The music was good, and seeing him on the drums made me happy and

sad. Happy because I got to see him before the inevitable. Sad

because somebody like him should be at home, spending the last few

days of his life surrounded by family and friends. I know he also

needs our support (income as his wife put it). I haven't heard

anything about his health in the news, and patients with heart

failure have good and bad days, but I can actually say that he is in

bad shape, weakened by his illness (already cachectic). I will

forever have the image of an elderly Elvin Jones playing the drums

that night.”

Very sad! A wonderful person who it has been my pleasure to spend time with on a number of occasions.

Len Dobbin

[Matthew]

I'm speechless By all accounts a wonderful man who will be deeply missed.

[jazzypaul]

Along with Billy Higgins, Elvin is my drumming idol. It is indeed sad to hear that he is ill. He will indeed be greatly missed.

[sidewinder]

Oh damn, this has ruined the day completely. I was very much looking forward to the usual UK week at Ronnie Scotts this year..

[RainyDay]

Well, I am sitting here wiping away the tears. I usually go to see him at Yoshi's but I just couldn't bear it this year. I'm glad I didn't go. I would have been a mess. Here's to Elvin, just hanging in there for the duration.

My co-worker saw him and he said one guy sitting with them had to leave. My friend's wife lost it after the set ended.

What an amazing human being and artist. He apparently has more strength to handle this than we do.

[7/4]

previous thread

[garthsj]

Here is a picture of Elvin and me during a happier time ... this was taken at Jones Hall in Houston during the JVC Kool Jazz Festival in 1982. I still had my radio show "The Sounds of Jazz" on KUHF-FM at the time, and was invited to M.C. these touring concerts. Great fun, as I used to get the artists to come on the show. I did a interview with Elvin, and got him to comment on some of his albums, including "Dear John C" .... How I wish I had those tapes still ... the station went all classics in 1986.

God! I was in that 2 year stage when I was still doing a "comb-over" ... how embarrassing! But doesn't Elvin look happy with his Texan hat!

[7/4]

Elvin always looks happy. B)

Edited April 28, 2004 by 7/4

[rockefeller center]

Thanks for sharing this, Garth!

[7/4]

da man:

[Rooster_Ties]

7/4 , haven't I seen that painting somewhere before??

Here's to hoping Elvin can enjoy himself behind his kit, to whatever degree possible, in the coming days, weeks, and hopefully months.

[7/4]

7/4 , haven't I seen that painting somewhere before??

Yez! It's beautiful too, it must look amazing as a full size painting.

[sal]

Elvin Jones is my hero. He is the reason I came back to the drums after nearly 15 years away. He's the reason I chose jazz as my focus. Coltrane would never have been as great as he was without Elvin. He has given us so much great music over the years. He is the greatest drummer to ever walk on this earth. May God bless him.

[Philip]

Very sad news. Keiko is the name of Elvin's wife.

[mikeweil]

da man:

Sorry, but this painting is inspired by a photo of Grady Tate:

[mikeweil]

Well, what can you say ... I've seen him two or three times I think and he was a natural force behind the drums, and I wish him all the peace there is to fulfill his earth circle. Elvin rules!

[7/4]

da man:

Sorry, but this painting is inspired by a photo of Grady Tate:

I have no problem with that!

[Rooster_Ties]

da man:

Sorry, but this painting is inspired by a photo of Grady Tate:

Sorry, the painting is definitely of Elvin.

It was painted by Kevin Neireiter, who has a page at AAJ here (LINK), which clearly labels the painting with the caption: "Elvin Jones: Oil on Canvas 47 inches x 47 inches". Neireiter also has a website, www.jazzlandscapes.com, which also clearly labels the painting as being of Elvin.

[wesbed]

Elvin Jones has been at the top of my list of favorite drummers for a long time. I've always been amazed how Elvin can create such a firestorm of drums in support of a featured player. While, at the same time, providing the firestorm in a calm and refined manner.

[Johnny E]

Modern drumming would not be the same if it weren't for Elvin. Any jazz drummer worth his salt today has internalized Elvin's playing...consciously or otherwise. He is a true master. My thoughts are with him.

[catesta]

Modern drumming would not be the same if it weren't for Elvin. Any jazz drummer worth his salt today has internalized Elvin's playing...consciously or otherwise. He is a true master. My thoughts are with him.

Very true.

[wesbed]

Modern drumming would not be the same if it weren't for Elvin.  Any jazz drummer worth his salt today has internalized Elvin's playing...consciously or otherwise.  He is a true master.  My thoughts are with him.

I'm not a drummer. I speak out of ignorance regarding drumming technique. I know only what I hear and how it makes me feel.

That said, I know a guy who used to play drums, part time, with the Denver Symphony. He claims that Elvin Jones is an 'archaic' drummer with a very old-fashioned & out-dated style. Mr. Denver Symphony says he likes Tony Williams, that Tony Williams is a very 'modern' drummer.

I've recently acquired a new appreciation for Tony Williams' style. From a listener's perspective, however, I still place Elvin Jones higher on my list of favorite drummers.

Edited April 29, 2004 by wesbed

[.:.impossible]

Sometimes I feel like nobody reads my threads around here. I don't know how so many people missed this topic over the last month or so. Anyway, its not about me. I shared a first-hand account on Elvin's state, as previously linked in this thread, from his series at the Rbar. I asked my friend to email me the photo of Elvin and I. I'll post it when I get it.

The good news is he is still smiling.

[.:.impossible]

ps I don't think Elvin's style will ever be out-dated. Ask your friend if he thinks the clave is out-dated. I hope that is just taken out of context.

[wesbed]

ps I don't think Elvin's style will ever be out-dated. Ask your friend if he thinks the clave is out-dated. I hope that is just taken out of context.

He's really not my friend. More like a friend of a friend.

When I initially met Mr. Denver Symphony, he asked me, in regard to drums, who did I like? I believe he assumed I'd mention somebody like John Bonham or Neil Peart (you know, the standard answers about favorite drummers ). I believe he was a bit taken a-back when I answered, without hesitation, 'Elvin Jones.' I mean, who, outside of jazz fanatics and professional drummers has really ever heard of Elvin Jones? Yes, Elvin is a very common name on the jazz discussion boards. But, I'll guarantee, none of my real-world friends are familiar with Elvin.

I almost got the feeling Mr. Denver Symphony had to one-up me by saying 'he' liked Tony Williams better. I've never considered Elvin Jones as having anything to do with an 'old fashioned' sound. I have wondered, however, what other informed minds think of labeling Elvin Jones as being 'old fashioned' and labeling Tony Williams as being 'modern?'

My post, here, is not meant to pit Tony Williams against Elvin Jones. I enjoy & respect both drummers very much. I've never forgotten and always thought of Mr. Denver Symphony's comment as being odd.

Edited April 28, 2004 by wesbed