Drummerworld: Elvin Jones

[iscottm]

somebody said to me his style is like someone took the drums and tossed them down the stairs (in a good way)

[InnAb109]

What a unique musician. Elvin's influence is immense but, in many ways, he's an unsung hero now! He's definitely in that group of drummers a step above even many of the greats, along with the likes of Rich, Williams, Bonham, Cobham...people who changed the way things were done. There was definitely pre- and post-Elvin! A true master!

[videolover61]

That's soul...damn Elvin something else : )

[meatus12]

I wish the audio was a bit cleaner...there's an echo or reverb or something that makes dissecting the rhythms a bit difficult.

[contents7]

I think I found some of Jojo's inspiration, sounds like some of his phrasing.

[ctrlzjones]

i think this is from the film "a different drummer".

does anybody know where to get it?

[darkjustice1974]

he was the best...

[KnightOfAmarCostume]

@darkjustice1974 he was the best also with Art Blackey

[muzical26]

Elvin's solo's are a bit like looking at a an abstract piece of art, the solo sounds a little different because the pieces are jumbled up and not in the usual order because elvin's phrasing is different, he makes musical statements in a indirect or oblique way, and if you have a limited musical knowledge you won't be able to understand the pieces are there but there not were you are used to them being.

[mlcoo17]

@muzical26 Exactly, Elvin is showing us something DIFFERENT. If you listen to him for a while you start to get what a true genius he was. His polyrhytmic phrasing is just pure art. He always makes me want to practice more and, of course, he always makes me jealous.

[paulwall1981]

Dose anyone know what type of kit he was using in this vid and and what year the video was made?

[punkasspete]

@paulwall1981 The drum kit Elvin is using here is a 1970s gretsch stop sign badge. This video I belive is called "Different Drummer" from 1979.

[paulwall1981]

Thanks punkasspete. I well happy with the info you gave about the kit. Thanks.

[Offbeat1000]

@paulwall1981 I believe that he is using a 18" bass. He always got a loy of sound out of it. The piece is "3 Card Molly"

[Thomlistentoslayer]

i get it but it gets no where

[Beauxdeauxfinglok]

Suffice it to say that not everyone will get this vid. It's Elvin, and yes... he's a legend.

R.I.P.

[TheCarlevaris]

elvin fue un genio!

[NikeDrums]

for those who think that elvin was average jazz drummer,ask prof. John Riley,(one of the best jazz drummer and best jazz drumming instructor today) his opinion about great Elvin,and you will found the truth

[Grillmouth]

so if ole john tells me his opinion how could i find the truth??

[Alinkttpast]

I recommend you to listen to "Tones for Elvin Jones" in the Eric Clapton´s Crossroads Festival. Perfomanced by John McLaughin and Dennis Chambers...Amazing.

[MikeGiunta]

a legend. but damn this video must be old

[Laight4work]

elvin was one of the greatest artists of the 20th century . . not just a drummer .. not just a musician . . . an artist . . on the level of Calder, Picasso, Matisse

[changocito]

Alinkttpast is an ignoramus

lets just let him live in his own dark world

ELVIN IS THE KING!!!!!!!

[Alinkttpast]

lololol...he plays good, but far from being the king!!

[Alinkttpast]

I don´t know...I prefer other drummers.

Maybe he changed the way of playing, and openned doors to others, but I´m still thinking he´s a bit overated

[SpencerMA89]

why?

[Alinkttpast]

hmmm...Actually, I´m not sure about what I said. The fact is: I´ve not heard Elvin enough to say that his overrated...So I suppose I was wrong. First time that I watched this video, it didn´t impressed to me, but I´ve watched again, with oppened mind, and he sounds different to most of the drummers. I´ve to hear more Elvin stuff, to make an opinion.

[systemseminar]

well we're all waiting on pins and needles to hear your informed opinion on Elvin Jones LOL

[Alinkttpast]

YES, hehe...I suposse you can´t wait for my opinion, I know, I know...everybody is nervious about my opinion, but don´t get excited and calm down, please...One of these days, you´ll see my opinion posted here...It will be a celebration day, man!!

[drummer78]

I just read this after my first reply and it confirms what I thought, you never saw him live, you really didn't know much about him and yet you still felt the need to call him overrated based on just you narrow view of him. You're an idiot.

[Alinkttpast]

hey, hey, hey...calm down please. I´m not an idiot, I´m free to post what I want. I´ve watched other drummers like Erskine, Tony williams, Katche, Gadd, Buddy, for the first time, and I don´t think they´re overrated. I don´t know about elvin, but I don´t like this video.

[drummer78]

You said he was overrated after one 1:38 long video in which Elvin was merely demonstrating his approach to sololing and not even playing behind Coltrane or his amazing Jazz Machine. Let me make this clear, the man was a master artist. There is no need for a Creed fan to call him overrated.

[gusmactavish]

listen to a love supreme man

[DRUMKINGZ]

I know yall bout to thrash me but I agree he was an overrated drummer in my opinion I know he played with some of the greats but his drummin some times it loses me & im a fan of drums & drummers

[Alinkttpast]

I prefer many other Jazz drummers before Elvin Jones: Erskine, Tony Williams, Gadd, Roy Hanes, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, and many others...But maybe you like more Elvin...I don´t have a problem with this, everyone is free to choose his favourites drummers! You prefer Elvin, it´s ok, I respect your opinion...We´ve to be elegant

[gunshow86de]

I agree, this video loses me. I can't find the groove. I'm a guitar player, but I'm also a decent drummer and I just can't seem to figure out what he's doing here. I couldn't imagine ever using this in the context of a full band.

[MoonisGod226]

that's because it's a solo....solo meaning only one

[drummer78]

I should have known, you're a Creed fan. Anyway, before you comment, why don't you form an opinon that is actually based in something. Now go watch a Creed video.

[SeriousPieEnthusiast]

alinkttpast. anyone who cares about being called an idiot on the internet ought to go get fisted

[Alinkttpast]

yes, you´re right...I put my face, you can fist me hard

[zaorulesmetal]

Fisting is not punching.

[Alinkttpast]

You´re WRONG...! I´m not a Creed fan, I just like 1 fucking song from creed, but I don´t like in general. Before you comment, why don´t you form an opinion that is actually based in something??

[drummer78]

Settle down, liking one Creed song is a musical crime in itself.

[sweetfly66]

@drummer78 .... check out any Foo Fighter interview when they start dumping on Creed ...it is hilarious .. Taylor Hawkins does a dead on impersonation of Scott Stapps godawful vocal style .... I always listen to Creed when they come on the radio ... its like driving by a bad car accident ... its horrible but you cant stop staring ... you are just in shock at how awful it is

[drummer78]

I take it you never saw his band live. If you did you would never say that...believe me.

[anandanaga999]

I love Elvin-and would never pick a fight with him.- He plays like Krupa..in that he "gets sounds Out of the Drums' he doesn't impose sounds upon them. I feel something when he plays that defies all the flourishes of a Bill Stewart,a Dave Weckl

[Fragile0Still]

Chazdrums, I'm sorry i sounded a bit harsh on rock and metal drummers. I guess a straight 4/4 beat just isn't my thing. This is fantastic, but I should give some props to metal. i mean, that is what I like to play, i just like jazz beats and I don't like double bass much...

[chazdrums]

Man, Ive been arguing with all these little kid metal drummers lately. Had to come watch some real iconic drummers. So tired of everyone thinking blast beats are the end all be all of drums.

[Fragile0Still]

Chazdrums, I understand about the kid drummers. All they want is double bass, blast beats and hardcore. Give them time, hopefully they will learn to appreciate expression and melody. I hope so... I'm tired of the guy from SLipknot being the only drummer kids talk about today. If you ask me, Elvin Jones is much more unique, creative as has a voice.

[chazdrums]

Dont get me wrong, I am in a very hard rock band and play double bass. But I take the time to learn jazz and fuck as well. Its so important to be a musician, and not just a drummer.

[musikabarnetik]

I'm with you. I like joey Jordison ok. but even if I'm in a rock group and I play rock, I know elvin jones is one of the best drummer musicians. I'm looking for a jazz band. I'm 15, ok 'im not a kid, but I love drums and I love playing every thing with them. Actually, I'm forming a progressive rock band!!

[chazdrums]

Good man, I would rather be a well rounded drummer than a master at any one style. You get more work :-)

[paulwall1981]

Good luck with that I hope all goes well with your new band.

[HumpaLumpa2009]

This guy changed the way of playing drums forever. And it also changed me.

[CHABIEPORTNOY]

hes always there

[Mulwany]

This is a heavenly groove... sweet...

[rudeass]

THIS DRUM ALSO WALTZES!

[persini]

beautiful

[AWrunsthevoodoodown]

bonZa!

[rusamene]

Cool as Hell

[HCxGRILLOx]

Genio???Its crazy (like Elvin).

[ToTe4444]

Jé! Nio!

[madchops82]

Genio-

[erikimba]

SI GENIO =)

[erikimba]

GENIO?????

[wipuguay]

Genio

[papupapu1]

GENIOOOOO

[snahnelom]

geeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnniiiiiiiii­iiiiiiiiioooooooooooooooooooo!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!

[gretsch08]

genioooooooooooooooooooooooooo­!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gretsch08]

genio!

[tkanka]

genio

[tonno6866]

genio

[yuvutero]

genio

[elsegno]

Genio-