Can Elvin Jones Really Play The Blues?

 

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

E.J.'s Blues (Jones) Elvin Jones Quartet featuring Sonny Fortune Live at Jazzstadt Stuttgart, 1986.  Elvin Jones, drums; Sonny Fortune, tenor saxophone; Fumio Karashima, piano and Andy McKee, bass.

Elvin Jones was one of the most influential drummers in the history of jazz. Here are some reasons why he is important:

1. **Revolutionizing Drumming**: Elvin Jones played a key role in revolutionizing jazz drumming. Prior to Jones, many jazz drummers had focused primarily on keeping a steady beat. Jones, however, adopted a more polyrhythmic and melodic approach, often creating complex patterns that acted as a counter-melody to the primary melody of the song. This gave his drumming a unique and innovative flavor that changed the way many subsequent drummers approached their instrument.

2. **The John Coltrane Quartet**: Jones was a member of the John Coltrane Quartet from 1960 to 1966, one of the most important and innovative groups in the history of jazz. His polyrhythmic style was a perfect fit for Coltrane's intense, exploratory saxophone playing, and together they helped create some of the most forward-thinking music of their era. Their recordings from this period, such as "A Love Supreme," are considered classics and have been hugely influential.

3. **Teaching and Mentoring**: After his tenure with Coltrane, Jones continued to play, record, and tour prolifically, mentoring many younger musicians along the way. His influence as a teacher and mentor helped shape a new generation of jazz musicians.

4. **Continued Innovation**: Throughout his career, Jones was never content to rest on his laurels. He was always pushing the boundaries of what was possible on the drum set, experimenting with new techniques and rhythms. Even in his later years, he was still evolving and innovating, continuing to inspire other musicians with his creativity and drive.

5. **Legacy**: Jones's work, especially his time with the John Coltrane Quartet, has left an indelible mark on the world of jazz. His innovative drumming style has been studied and emulated by countless other drummers, and his recordings remain a vital part of the jazz canon. 

Overall, Elvin Jones's innovative drumming, his contributions to some of the most important recordings in jazz history, his role as a teacher and mentor, and his continued artistic growth all make him a major figure in the history of jazz.