papa jo jones with coleman hawkins quintet- caravan

[Cnb621]

That is real talent!

[yougotgroove]

This is so inspiring.I am so happy I stumbled on this...Aside from his technique, his expression is like a kid at true honest play....and to be that personal with the crowd.....wow....love this cat....I wish I could hugged this cat for his gift.

[djrinpoche]

Non violent percussion. Playing and touching not hitting and striking.

[hlmynms]

haha jones is having to much fun.

[Easleytee]

Papa Jo was to drumming what Fred Astaire was to dancing.

[sweetfly66]

Genius .... arguably the greatest drum soloist ever

[quickmajik1000]

I wish there was a documentary on this magnificient artist! The joy in Papa Jo Jones is evident whenever you hear or see the footage of him playing. He makes the complicated seem easy (when in essence it's not) and it just points to his mastery and genuis. He has influence so many great drummers after him which is testimony to his brillance and legacy.

[jmgibon]

Papa Jo Jones was more than a brilliant drummer. He was a story teller. Aint that what music is all about?

[RocknRollkat]

Buddy, et al, this is what it's all about.

[Easleytee]

Papa Jo...every time he played it was transposed as a CLINIC!

[arhada]

awesome!

[Giufa78]

Yeah!

[MrTeslasRevenge]

That was an inspiring performance!!!

[MrTeslasRevenge]

Not being racist but I didn't see any black people in the audience . Was this during segregation???

[gcrav]

@MrTeslasRevenge

It was in England.

[vtmike13]

@MrTeslasRevenge yep

[pickinstone]

@MrTeslasRevenge Even blues revival concerts were filled with mostly white concerts in the 1960s. The answer to your question is complex but you're hinting at why the audience was so whitebread.

[poptya]

The bit starting at 2:45...I couldn't imagine trying to keep time through that....amazing

[TheWardrumma]

Im really thanking God for the internet rite now. This is unreal! He sounds better with his bare hands than most cats with a pair of sticks. Papa Jo is amazin!

[enakrium]

2:30= a typewriter and a clock in the backround!...lol

2:40-3:00!!!

[ZacksPlace2010]

The solo is so hypnotic - in a good way. There is nothing like Jo Jones's stylistic and improvisational approach to his playing. He seems so laid back and focused at the same time. The phrase: "Mr. Class & quality" comes to mind when I watch this. The group as a whole are totally in the groove here. I could watch this for days and days. 

[05ric]

Brilliant and so musical!

[drumz47]

Cool as hell

[pooperscoopr69]

It's not Jo's intellectual but his MUSICAL construction that's most inspiring.

[pooperscoopr69]

Jo Jones was Fred Astaire of the trap set.

[DaleCredico]

Aside from the fantastic control and technique, his intellectual construction was impeccable. Deep into it.

[craveplanetcaravan]

incredible

[IntoxicatedCrow]

this drummer is like a precursor to high school and university drum line. Listening to this dude play is like going to a duke basketball band practice

[drummer78]

Here is the key reason I think this clip captivates so much, Papa Jo Jones was not just playing drums, he was in fact making music. I think that is why many of today's chop fest drum solos leave people cold....the drums don't sing. Papa Jo Jones knew of to make them sing.

[spacitydrummer4JC]

Yeah, every time you think you are alright, or getting somewhat good, just come watch this video.

[benny0607]

wOW!!!

woww!!!

gEniuS!!!

[Patrickphx11]

ooooo the Bridge is to Low on the bass!!!

[bostonchip2006]

Legends playing Caravan

[ignaciomoran]

This is a study in relaxation and being an entertainer. Just like what Buhaina said. Papa Jo is king!

[genemz5]

I have wondered at times what Buddy Rich would have been like if he were truly a happy person. The answer..Papa Jo Jones. He played with love and he had this sneaky, clever way, that was mischievous... All to please the hearer.  Sweet genius at work.

[PositivelyBored]

@genemz5

[poogawoog]

All of his solos are awesome to watch and will be for years. he's so innovative with the drums.

[Papahkk1]

He is so so so so amazing outstanding great awsome .he is the reason why i love the drums so much and gretsch

[pgc6265]

Pure genius. Like an earlier guy said, you don't play jazz you live it. It's just not possible to get to play like these guys any more; i'm so grateful recordings exist to show future generations what's truly possible on these instruments.

[makkreol]

@pgc6265 It's not possible to play like them and many try either to copy or to "purify" jazz, or music generally. It's possible to learn and to construct new musical languages based either on knowledge or on lack of knowledge ;)

[oftennoother]

Clearly a higher form of consciousness playing.

[poptya]

He was one of the best, but crappy emo drummers are going to end up in the hall of fame instead. Poor Jo would roll in his grave

[bodgaard]

imagine how well you have to know your drums to be able to get that continuous musical thought out of them.

[lemonite1]

I want those hi hats...

[63Brummie]

Papa Jo's generation were from a Vaudeville tradition and really knew how to roll seamlessly and musically... I of course include Buddy Rich, Joe Morello, Mel Lewis,Gene Krupa and the like... please excuse me for missing anyone out but this comments box is only so big...

[TheJazzthusiast]

You're right about Buddy, He is the master, and He himself, used to rave about "Papa" Jo Jones! We can see here why!

[drummer78]

That's true. Most of the early cats cut their teeth just playing night after night. Some of them would occasionally back up comedians, strippers, etc. Jo Jones was a tap dancer I believe. Anyway, these cats knew all the angles. There are music schools now but what they were doing can't just be taught...it has to be lived.

[rockyjay55]

THE  MASTER IS SPEAKING!!!!

[JacqueShredo]

Thats one of the best i've ever seen and i've watched just about everyone play

The whole solo tells a complete story and it's executed perfectly. The way he keeps his eyes on the crowd and conveys the emotions along with the drums is stunning

Thats the real deal right there

[wetdog158]

you've seen everyone play?!? you must be God!

[BlogsofWoolhouse]

i just watched another video with the same drum solo. It must be a very well rehearsed routine. That's probably why he's smiling so much cause he has practiced it so much, he knows he ain't gona fuck up. Amazing drummer.

[LammyCHy]

It's the exact same solo, the other video just shows the solo, not the tune. I had no idea he was solonig over caravan.

[BlogsofWoolhouse]

ok that makes sense then. cheers.

[bigtom2021]

Bro... Ur watching a true master @ Work...smiling has nothing 2 do with it.....

[jazzbummer]

Jazz is being a poet. You have a full bag of words, sentences, phrases, and you begin a conversation with others. He was just telling us what was on his mind that day.

[petec9686]

The effortlessness is just amazing. His rolls are just too smooth.

[Jacquesthebike]

But it's not Philly ! It's Joe Jones ("the tiger").

[thinkingevil]

Wow- Actually- Philly is SO Billy Higgins here! Billy used to take solos just like that! Billy could get old ladies hollering at dinner jazz clubs. So beautiful.

[johnniebwoy]

Not Philly. That's Papa Jo Jones. Philly Joe is a completely different cat.

[thinkingevil]

oh word! That's what I meant.

[senseitre]

That wrist movement he does on the floor tom..I wonder if that's what Morello is doing on the 'Castilian Drums' recorded solo...when I herad that for the first time that was the only way I could visualise it being done.

[HumpaLumpa2009]

Wow! This guy would be one of the best today. Amazing!

[FOBmuzungu]

great jazz showmanship!...something for the younger generation of this age to watch and appreciate. ;-)

[jimdollar1]

You said it, roadrocket7!

[bteiv676]

Papa Jo Jones is the father of Philly Joe and Elvin?

[LammyCHy]

niether

[bteniswood]

In drumming terms, yes. In biological terms, no.

[Soulnik]

Dig it ♫♫♫♫♫

[Mark91Gilenson]

pettiford on bass, m8

[roadrocket7]

Wow. A complete story of The Drums all

in one tune. Perfect timing, perfectly tuned

drums, finesse, dynamics, rudiments, a

sense of style. Each time I get cocky and

think I know something about drums, all

I have to do is watch this. Heck, I'm just a

beginner! Jo Jones was a GENIUS!

[PositivelyBored]

@roadrocket7

great comment, I feel the same. I also feel like Papa Jo brought more to the table than Buddy Rich personally. He was a happy spirit and it flowed into his playing. Buddy seemed like a 1-uper, not only personally but his playing too. Obviously a great great drummer, but I'd take papa Jo Jones.

[genehilbert]

Jamming....

[valentynesuite]

marvellous

[jazzthusiastic]

After a week, watching this again gives me new respect for papa jo, his ability to say alot by doing very little, his ability to back off at the right time i.e. the bassist's solo, and when to really bring it! Also, notice how much is being done with the most basic of drum set-up's a 5 pc. set, a cymbal, and a hi-hat! Absolutely amazing, and musicality is not lost here! really defines the song, which oddly only has a few lines for a theme & chorus! always a pleasure Pap Jo!

[Gretsche87]

He has probably the loosest grip I have seen and the most flamboyant style. Pure grace and musical genius this guy. Very talented.

[jazzthusiastic]

What an awsome, and ethreal solo, caravan is kind of a difficult song to solo on, and he does it with such grace,& in response to premierdrum44's comment, I agree, his smiles & facial expression's are the top's!Awsome entertainer,sort of an ethreal solo for an ethreal Elington chart.Notice how gracefully he enters & exit's his roles only buddy rich could duplicate that.beautiful syncopation!Absolutely told the story.

[premierdrum44]

what an entertainer...papa jo jones.

i love his showmanship and smiles.

[JazzVideoGuy]

Jo Jones!

[CHC4669]

Amazing how he was able to keep me so glued and intrigued with what he was doing, never a dull moment. It wasn't necessary to nor did it require blazing chops which after two minutes can become boring. He told a story.

[youtoob004]

Where was this filmed? It's so great, thanks for posting!

[AlannahBabalon156]

I believe it was the Salle Pleyel in Paris, there's also a live recording available as well on I believe Charly Records series. Great gig, beautiful playing and Richmond's drum solo alone is worth the price of admission.

[samalenco]

maestro

[dreadtodred]

papa jo had some technique,Great to watch him

[calvert62]

nice one jo jones

[bigfootpegrande]

nice, original drum sola...

[leonardeloise]

One of the best drummers of the whole history. Aguante boquita.

[jthemump]

I wish that I had a job that I took as much joy and pride in as Jo Jones did his. Nice video.

[genep12]

Great