You would think with all of this extra quarantine time I would just be writing up a storm, but I’m actually kind of blocked this week. So here’s Tommy Flanagan’s Overseas—a nice record with Elvin Jones playing only brushes. Recorded in 1957 in Sweden, while touring with JJ Johnson.
One thought on “Daily best music in the world: Elvin plays brushes”
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Related Posts
Tootie Heath brush lesson
- Todd Bishop
- May 31, 2020
- 2
True old school guys approach things a whole different way from the modern technocratic thing. Here’s Tootie Heath giving a brush lesson: h/t to Larry Appelbaum
Solo transcription: Philly Joe Jones – Sub City
- Todd Bishop
- January 23, 2020
- 0
Here’s a drum solo played at a bright tempo with brushes by Philly Joe Jones. The tune is Sub City, by Bud Powell. The form is 32 bars long, and he’s basically playing two choruses, […]
Papa Jo and Big Sid
- Todd Bishop
- February 7, 2011
- 0
Jammin’ The Blues, a short film featuring Jo Jones and Sid Catlett. Watch for the trade off after 5:40: “Big Sid was like my brother. I never go anyplace without a picture of Big Sid […]

Always remember that Elvin was fired by J.J. Johnson right after they came back from that tour. On that same night he wanted to get wasted with one of his brothers when Wilbur Ware found him and told him that Rollins wanted both of them immediately at the Village Vanguard. So Elvin was already quite a bit drunk when he played on Pete La Roca's drum set at the Village Vanguard what turned out to be one the the classic recordings if all time. Being a jazz musician is a bumpy road.