Philly Joe Jones

[ccadp]

Fantastic solo. A great jazz drummer. Thx for posting.

[Cnb621]

....."surprised a clip like this only has 81K views"

[Cnb621]

Pjj is such an important part of our jazz drum history.....I'm wu triads a clip like this only has 81K views. Wat up wit dat? I'm only one guy up in northern Canada and probably responsible for 500 ?

[Earthdogbonzo3]

Buddy who?

[ryanandtricia]

Undeniably awesome.

[hremdldw]

JMRSplatt:The tune Is called Nardis written by Miles Davis

[Easleytee]

Billy Higgins had a superior feel...touch on the traps.

Do your homework.

[flipadiddle]

@Easleytee lol you're saying that like "touch" is something that is a fact, something that can be measured. i can't believe you said "do your homework". haha.

[fnkdrmmr]

At 2:00 Philly Jo Jones did a reverse double stroke roll.

[cletotheboxer]

i wish they had HD cameras back then

[scottmagnerod]

Philly Joe Jones. The greatest of the "Hard Bop" drummers. He took the name "Philly" to differentiate himself from Mr. Hi-hat, Jo Jones.

My drum teacher asked him for lessons after witnessing a gig. He gave him his card.....

[flyingape11]

Philly Joe Jones is the man

[morrisonmoon]

pimping on the drums.....nice thank you for posting....love the old school big cats!!!!roaring..............

[dreadtodred]

bad to the bone Philly had it all

[specialness16]

2:00 wtf?

[talbotvanman]

sorry meant add that was in 1958ish!!!

[talbotvanman]

Liked Philly Joe after "sitting in" on drums at the Bluenote in Paris

where he was resident at the time.

[pooperscoopr69]

Philly Jo was no soloist. Limited vocabulary and texture.

[flipadiddle]

@pooperscoopr69 yeah man you're totally right. he was a shitty soloist. that's the reason why he was hundreds, if not thousands of jazz records, many of them being some of the most important jazz records. it's also the reason why he was miles davis and bill evan's favorite drummer. it's also the reason why his solos and 4's are transcribed by legions of jazz drummers today.

[weidellpinho]

Timbre maravilhoso! Big drum sound!

[scottmagnerod]

@weidellpinho He usually refrained the song they were doing with powerful four mesure drum breaks that absolutely killed and set the bar higher for bop and cool drumming.

[oatstao]

His performance on "gone" from Porgy and Bess is one of my favs.

Thanks for posting one of the greats!

[JMRSplatt]

What tune is this... I know it but can't place my finger on it.

[keyrat87]

@JMRSplatt Nardis

[JMRSplatt]

@keyrat87  @Jazzanswer Thanks!

[Jazzanswer]

@JMRSplatt

"Nardis", I believe.

[mogyliptus]

As much as i dig Art blakey,Max Roach i sometimes feel they can be a little frantic,Philly is so coherent you can hear absolutely everything he's doing and he does it with an effortless touch and style... Beautiful!!!!

[mgman71]

make traditional grip look so effortless. love the elbow drop lol

[acedrumminman]

He didn't do the imitation..he was Dracula!!!

[gangwarden]

Awesome! I hear a touch of Philly Joe in Gadd's playing - snare work in particular. Beautiful stuff.

[dontdodat00O]

the tuning is similar, thats for sure. but i see what you're saying

[ewi1982]

What can I say...Simply a pleasure to watch and admire!! Super Solid and feelin it perfectly!! Historical and Priceless!! Ed from Malta (NOMADSON)

[bcwdrums]

Amazing one of the greats..............

[ackeiswetter]

I love the elbow into the hi hat.

I think i watched this 1000 times on Ledgens of Jazz Drumming

Amazing hands

[clarkewi]

So solid.

[shovedhead]

...and he did a GREAT Dracula impersonation. What an amazing guy.

[jofujenkins]

what a monster!!

dude is playing his hi hats with his ELBOW!!!!

[Deagledrumzz]

An absolute pleasure to watch such a great work.

[mlcoo17]

OUTSTANDING!

[AstralPlane1951]

A very innovative drum solo.

[mikeandsophia08]

Heroin is a provider ya see

[brownhornet71]

Simply the best!! The master!!!

[sparerib78]

Man, all those great jazz drummers of decades past... Roach Jo Jones, E Jones, Krupa, Rich Blakey, Williams... On and on. I love them! Class, style, soul, power, dynamics and a feel for the pocket and the an intuition of the other musicians playing styles. They could push prod and massage the group to new heights! Nothing beats a great drummer!

[SiCmetalfan]

i completely agree with you 100%

[baconlover02]

he seems to lack good cymbal work. he's just a bunch of rolls with a few random tom hits to me. you can seriously tell he's improvising.

[BmGdrums]

Philly Jo Jones doesn't lack any cymbal work. He doens't lack anything. He's a master, and an insperation to every drummer. He probably choose not to hit any cymbals...musicians choice.

[holygroove2]

You have to listen to his recordings, and check out more than one thing... he was one of the best drummers on the scene. The stuff that he's done on the snare (not just here, but on Milestones too) is full of character. It's not about technique, it's HOW you use it to express yourself.

[shlempnar]

obviously he's improvising. what drummer writes out a lengthy solo that is always the same.

[Gretsche87]

He came from an age where "cymbal work" was not a common thing in drum solos...They had only JUST started using the ride cymbal for time keeping. Cymbals used use for punctuating - not to keep a beat like modern drummers.

[MichaelG1V]

you don't know much about drums do you

[rageagainst4life]

Hell, they didnt even have hi hats till the mid 20's, and any cymbal's drummers used up until the 40's was only used for sound effects, not to keep time like we see today. Philly grew up around drummers that played like this.

[carmona1919]

Eres un capullo tio, habría que verte a ti

[rrdrums110]

This is like reading a great book and always coming back for refresher. Buddy's work is like pure adrenalin right now and tomorrow wanted it again. I think thats what made buddy so famous. Listening to buddy was more exciting

[rrdrums110]

Grat old school drumming. New kids should learn these techniques and stylings. Forget Jordison and barker Yuck.

[intermittent92]

nardis with bill evans one of the best version of this song

[CrowleyHead]

This guy is the reason why "Milestones" is one of my favorite albums.

[brothaman34]

@CrowleyHead I listened to that album for about 3 months straight, every day. Some of the best jazz drumming ever.

[steerclear036]

hmm, i was epecing a bit more, this is only the second philly solo ive heard and both sound the same to be honest up until about 1:45.

[bellsonrich]

i thought that philly was around the same time as buddy and not after?

[bellsonrich]

oh man 2:20-2:30!! thats crazy stuff.

[Ouellette1978]

Don't even talk about race, just listen to the music. Black, white, purple or orange, Philly was one bad cat on them drums, and if Evans used him that goes to show you even more........

Just ashame they sniffed so much coke together, but I guess that was part of the scene back then

[andrecornal]

For Philly it was another gig; met Evans with Miles, but Evans' "improvisations" were not. They were predisposed; Cecil Taylor points it clearly.

[nemrac76]

Did Philly always play Zildjians or did he ever use Paiste Formula 602's like Joe Morello and Roy Haynes did?

[PAPILLION71]

I read that in the book "Deep in a dream"-great book.

[PAPILLION71]

Damn Philly Joe, you were one bad ass mother on the drums man...

Miles's best drummer...

I have a killer Bill Evans trio w Philly Joe, he added so much energy to those sides. Funny thing is Philly & Evans use to be great friends as well, they use to hang together, along with Chet Baker for a time. They all worked at Riverside in the warehouse, can you believe that! Art Pepper use to to, they would steel records and then autograph them & sell them they were so broke.

[seiyuhosono]

Read Bill Evans biography by Peter Pettinger. Philly Joe was the best in Bill's book.

[seiyuhosono]

Philly Joe rules!!

Bill Evans' all time favorite drummer is Philly Joe Jones.

[nkbakker1]

did bill evans tell you that? i thought he was long dead... show us the quote.

[dpunero]

dude deserves a standing-avation..

[ciavattiella]

The doors of time!

[smithw5]

nobody, not NOBODY, had a touch on the drums like Philly. Not Buddy, not nobody. the way he spanks the snare like that!

[jroblee]

You said it, smithw5.

[Patrickphx11]

@smithw5 you got to be joking or high...

[nlbjones]

@smithw5 Joe morello did it first and faster and harder-check out his BW footage :) cheers

[songbody26]

@nlbjones funny how cats love to talk about firsts. Morello had that gig with Brubek but who recorded more records between philly and Joe? Sencond who was one of the only subs for Buddy Rich when Buddy wanted to tap in his sets? Thats right Philly Joe was one of the only drummers ever to be Buddy Richs sub so......

[boystenroonio]

Hmmm!...sounds like jroblee might have a race chip on his shoulder. I wonder???

[jroblee]

Actually, I'm white. I am, however, only 5'5". Little man syndrome? PJ swings the hardest. Buddy played like the dictator he was portrayed as. It's all about ego not interfering with music and groove.

[andrecornal]

I agree, BR was another white racist musician that copied blacks

[jmcdrummer]

Purely ignorant statement on so many levels..you need to do your homework: in many interviews, Philly Joe stated that one of his major heroes was Buddy Rich..and Buddy had a long established career decades before Philly Joe came on the scene..it was Buddy who influenced Philly..not the other way around: racism has no place in appreciating art.

[andrecornal]

you're definately white with out regards of other cultures

[jmcdrummer]

This has nothing to do with race: you don't know your drum history. The facts as I stated than stand unchallenged. In fact, Buddy Rich frequently acknowledged his admiration for black drummers e.g. Jo Jones,Chick Webb, etc. Your personal attack on me reveals the narrowness of your thinking.I have been a player for over 50 years and knew many of these people, personally..Neither Philly Joe or Buddy Rich would have shared your views, either as musicians or as human beings.

[andrecornal]

as matter of fact you don't know what i know so you can't make an empty assumption as such; calling you white is not an attack, but if you have a problem with it ain't mine. as you can't claim to know what br or philly thought like; the fact is a lotta white musicians had it much easier than blacks, and blacks' music was more pure, where whites' were just imitating. being black in america was no joke, or something to take lightly, and that looks like it's something you don't know nothing about..

[Standardfrank]

andrecornal-I see from your comments that you have no idea what it takes to earn a salary for your fellow man, If any musician had it 'easy' they're output would be 'shit'. Do you know what it takes to create a skill set in music that people will gladly pay for year in year out? Standards have to broken continously for that to happen. 'Black' or 'white' you must always break standards and not just merely copy. I haven't seen any great drummer who drums the same as any of their peers! Impossible!

[enthusiastoftoast]

Andrecornal, I disagree with your assessment of musical "purity". Seriously, it's kind of shallow. Even in the most basic music history class, we learn that the earliest American music, had an almost equal mix of African and European influence. REALLY complex rhythmic theory and patterns came from Africa, and the basis of tone and form came from Europe.

And what about Country music? I don't like it much, but Hank Williams? Pretty damn "pure" to me.

you can call me ignorant, or share some facts.

[andrecornal]

Seems like my point's been twisted; surely whites would like to see the history of the U.S. free of racism, like it never was. The fact is that black musicians had it much harder than whites, regardless of talent, and black music is the origin of blues, jazz, comes from Africa, whether you like it, agree, or not, but sure, anyone's quick to claim their credit, good luck! (whoever writes the book, right?). Just as there are people that claim the holocaust never happened. Give me a damn break!

[enthusiastoftoast]

And you're twisting my point, and deflecting like Palin! What does people denying the holocaust have to do with anything I said? Absolutely inappropriate

All I was saying, was that the music of the early 1900's, from both races, was derivative of african and european culture, pretty equally. Granted, I agree that black musicians had it hard, and still do, but the measure of purity was a bit ill conceived, and you check your facts, rather than make blanket statements.

[andrecornal]

I disagree with your point about Jazz and Blues being "equally" African and European influenced; you obviously haven't listened to much African music. You can hear the purity of Blues in African music. You can FEEL the ROOT, but obviously, if you can't tell the difference between Tommy Dorsey and Duke Ellington, then you need more hours of listening, or maybe it's just something you can't grasp anyhow.

[beagleheadfred]

yeah BUT Louis Bellson often ranked as right behind rRch and Krupa is a real gentleman and still playing God Bless him!

[bohantos]

Buddy and Philly both had their own qualities dont forget they are playing different styles. buddy could play very musically with small groups too ala early lionel hampton quartets. but philly was the man on be-bop his patterns and pocket were astounding !

[jroblee]

I do agree! Some of the Bird recordings with a young BR were very promising. I just don't think that his feel ever developed.

[jroblee]

As long as I can remember, people have been calling Buddy the greatest drummer ever. I remember my first BR recording. The rhythm section was stiff and those darn horns sounded like cats in heat. I can't deny BR's techinical mastery and drive, however, the FIRST time I heard Philly Joe (Blue Train) I knew that the Buddy Rich claim was racially motivated. Philly was and is one of the best. I'll bet he SAID he idolized Buddy but I'll bet he said it for political reasons.

[drummer78]

Not true, he had a geninue affection for Buddy. He truly did respect and love the man.

[jroblee]

I didn't say or imply that Philly didn't respect Buddy as a human being. Heck, Buddy did give PJ work. You can, however, find many quotes from Philly in which he clearly states that he's a better drummer than BR. Conversely, you can find even more quotes from Buddy in which he states that he's the best drummer ever. I just happen to prefer PJ (in any setting) to BR.

[drummer78]

Fair enough. I've read a bit about both men. Buddy was defintely confident but he wasn't the evil bastard some have subsequently made him out to be. In fact, many have said that he could be be tough and the warm and funny all at once. Buddy could wasn't just a solo god because he could play drums in a support position wonderfully (listen to "This One's For Basie"). Anyway, I was listening to Philly's stuff with Coltrane just the other night...brilliant.

[jroblee]

LOL! It has been great getting three responses to my posts. Everytime I click on the youtube link from my email I get to listen to this killer solo. LOL! Hysterical!

[drummer78]

Not a bad deal.

[jroblee]

ONE MORE!

[egdoh]

How about another............

[jazzmessenger8]

BR is better in the big band setting, PJ is better in the small band setting. They are not similar at all.

[philperson]

This is with Bill Evans. Philly was in his trio for a while in '78.

[abracadavere]

Is that Bill Evans behind the piano?

[drummer78]

Buddy actually hired Philly to be his drummer when Buddy had a group in which he sang. Buddy tried a brief foray at being a crooner. Philly idolized Buddy.

[teiscoxx]

drums sound great....anyone know what he is using??

[cementerioclub]

no se puede creer.

[dreadtodred]

philly didnt have to rely on speed to get his point.great aceents,nuances.and he knew how to drop the bomb(jazz lingo}.I dont think buddy was the greatest of all time he would have to get in line

[kdfan]

buddy? well, the "buddy tapes" are funny....but i don't know about the best of all time.

[warx888]

Its sad that theres no more videos than there are of Philly Joe Jones. he is so amazing and super swinging. he could make anybody sound good.

[dibber43]

Philly Joe Jones was one of the greats! But if you had to pick "The" best of all time...That would certaintly be Bernard "Buddy" Rich!! PERIOD!!!!

[jazzmessenger8]

BR is the greatest big band drummer of all time. This is true. But he was given this title during an era when big band music was virtually the only type of music around. So since he was the best big band drummer, then he was the overall best. Now, in a time with many different types of music, he can not be considered the best ever.

[jazzmessenger8]

but it is still all just opinions, so who gives a shit!

[TimFunkB]

there is no best anything in any art

[jazzflutist]

Then you haven't heard me play. I still think Hubert Laws is better than me. Also, having heard my own sax playing, Coltrane and Rollins can rest easy for the moment.

[andrecornal]

Buddy Rich??; no way

[jmcdrummer]

As a matter of fact, I CAN claim to know what Philly and Buddy thought about such matters.I played professionally for 50 years and knew both of these guys and have heard them voice their opinions about these issues.Drumming is an art form that encompasses influences from many cultures and races. It does not "belong" to anyone. No art form does.I won't be posting any further comments. It is waste of energy.

[Standardfrank]

jmcdrummer - Ignore andrecornal! Facts are facts. Papa Joey Jones highly influenced Buddy Rich & Louise Bellson et al, they in return influenced others. Bach influenced Beethhoven etc that's how the dimensions of greatness arise. With regards to 'white folk' had it easier...like hell! People who make such comments have no idea what Rich had to go through to get gigs and make sure he earned sufficiently for his mighty band to make sure he could support their lives continously on salary!

[andrecornal]

About purity, sure, Hank Williams is pure because of his background; by "purity" I mean that is closer to the source. Just as if you listen to Leadbelly, or John Mayall... there would be no comparison there at all.

[Standardfrank]

andre - you wrote:

About purity, sure, Hank Williams is pure because of his background; by "purity" I mean that is closer to the source. Just as if you listen to Leadbelly, or John Mayall... there would be no comparison there at all.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS..

[andrecornal]

you know, closer to the source... the way one is raised, the environment, relatives, geography, time, something you carry on the blood...

[andrecornal]

Watch the video of Sun Ra All Stars with Philly; there you see what a mind he was... he could really stretch it with originality and imagination

[kaan8ndg]

if i want to be in awe of some nasty drum licks, i'll listen to buddy rich

now, if i want to swing off my chair and fall to the ground with joy, i'll be hittin' up philly joe

that's my 2 cents worth

[Cymbalgroove]

Philly Joe was my favorite drummer of all time!!

[dreadtodred]

philly joe was great drummer miles davis box set has a lot of him

[marieto1]

he was so great and there are no videos! it´s sad! this was the 1st pilly video that i saw in you tube... tx aiaiD!

[geugie]

Philly is my favourite!

[andrecornal]

watch the one with the Sun Ra All Stars; does a fantastic solo