Elvin Jones R.I.P. (1 Viewer)

[KrisM]

I don't have an actual link, but some members on the vinyl asylum are talking about Elvin Jones passing away today. The best drummer ever in my opinion.
I had the chance to see him a few years ago and didn't go because I didn't know anybody else who would want to go. I didn't want to be a 'loser' that went to concerts on his own. The next day I regretted that choice and I've been kicking myself ever since. Since that day I've made a point of seeing shows that I want to see, whether or not I've got somebody to come along.


Regards
KrisM

 

[John Watson]

To be honest, I was not aware of him, but I had to respect what I read.

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/sh...ad.php?t=33738

Guess drummers are in the background for most of us:frowning:

 

[Mike Broadman]

Jones was playing drums right up until his death. For a couple of gigs he was even propped up by his wife. This was all according to his wishes- he wanted to end his days doing something he loved.

It's musicians like him who not only inspire other musicians (as he has been doing all his life) but all inspire the audience to love music that much more.



I'm glad you're re-thinking this position. Sure, a concert can be part of a fun night with friends or a date, but you're all about the music, then at least for me, going alone is preferred. You always get a seat, you get to come and go as you please, and you can just enjoy the music without worrying if your companion is having a good time or whatever.

 

[KrisM]

I hear ya about A Love Sumpreme. To me, that album was always about not just Coltrane's playing, but how the sax and drums play off each other. I listened to it again last night and I think I enjoyed more than I ever have. And this is an album that is one of my all-time favorites. It made me even more pissed that I didn't go see him.
I don't have to worry about going solo to shows anymore because I got married recently and my wife has almost as much as an open mind about music as me.
Going solo can have its positves. I reserved a table at a club for a John Hammond show(right after the Elvin Jones missed show) and when I got there they didn't want to waste a large table on 1 person, so they pulled out a small table and put it front row center. It was kind of like that scene in Goodfellas when Henry Hill walks in and gets a prime table while there are a bunch of people waiting.

Regards
KrisM

 

[Bren_Chris]

I met Elvin at a clinic he gave about seven or eight years ago. Wonderful, witty, amiable man. Before all the Q&A and handshaking, we got to see him play a couple of solos - sitting in this university practice hall, about fifteen feet away from this legend as he does his inimitable work...needless to say, I'll treasure that day.

After I heard the news this week, I went home and listened to Larry Young's UNITY album, which features some of my very favorite EJ drumming. He was one of a kind.

An era is passing.