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:
I’ve written about him and transcribed him pretty extensively in ~13 years of writing this site, I suggest you spool through that. I also have an e-book of 5 transcriptions.
And here’s a very short list of recommended listening:
Miles Davis – & Horns
Thelonious Monk – Misterioso
Roy Haynes – Out Of The Afternoon, We Three, Cracklin’, Hip Ensemble
Oliver Nelson – Blues And The Abstract Truth
Steve Lacy – The Straight Horn
McCoy Tyner – Reaching Fourth
McCoy Tyner – Reaching Fourth
John Coltrane – Selflessness Featuring My Favorite Things
Gary Burton – Duster, Like Minds
Chick Corea – Now He Sings Now He Sobs, Trio Music, Trio Music Live
McCoy Tyner – Blues For Coltrane
Pat Metheny – Question & Answer
There’s a comprehensive discography here— I’ll be going through that and filling in some gaps in my listening.