Saw Elvin several times in the late 70's at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago. Sat so close once, I used my foot to keep his bass from creeping. He lost a stick during a solo and I caught it. When he finished I handed the stick back to him but he waved me off and instead gave me the matching stick to complete the pair. Some 34 years later I still have those sticks and treasure them dearly. A great man and a great artist. Thanks for posting this documentary.
Always loved seeing Elvin at the Vanguard. His drumming was fantastic but he also brought out the best in other musicians. Remember one time a guy from the audience sat in who had just got off his security guard gig. Upstaged La Barbera, who you see here, for sure. So much fun to hear Elvin talk. A uniquely realized person who expressed fine thoughts in a singular way. Mischievous and ironic. The fun in it. Nights with Sonny Fortune were pretty memorable.
Here was just amazing and sweet as pie. I remember I night in Boston where I had seen him for the first time. I went up to say hello and he gave me a big bear hug and lifted me off the ground and gave me a gentile smile and said a few soft spoken words.Never forgot it. Loved his style.Boy did he hit hard...
I saw Elvin Jones at Sandy's Jazz Revival in Beverly MA in the late 70's. He was a very physical and charismatic drummer, so much so, that it was hard to watch anyone eles in the band. He was awesome. He also smoked way too much which most likely contributed to his death.
The fact that there are about 15 people clapping at the end. Wow. But they are clapping with the weight of a 1000 friendly drunks who bothered to show up to see something unimaginable.
The word "sublime" comes to mind here. Thankyou Edu for posting this. Waves of sound, and he really took advantage of all the "colours" of the drumset, especially the hi and low toms, combined with the offbeat bass drum. An amazing wall of sound. I remember listening to "A Love Supreme" over and over again. It was a religious experience.
I saw this line-up with Pat LaBarbara, Ryo Kawasaki aund David Williams back in October 1976 in Goettingen (Germany). I still have the cassette recorded with my hidden tape recorder - sorry Elvin. Thanks for that unforgetable evening! Closing my eyes, I still can see you right in front of me, hitting the drum so deeply.
This is why you cannot learn how to play like Elvin....he is one of a kind! The had his own way of thinking and feeling the drums....even his hi-hat beat is like no one else's. Just feels different and soooooooo gooooood!!
Saw this documentary on a tiny screen at the Bleecker Street cinema in New York when it was first released. Enjoyed it so much. Had a poster from it. Remember there was a scene of a large family reunion that looked like a lot of fun--a big picnic table with Elvin and family, including Hank and Thad Jones, if I'm not mistaken.
First go to a Jazz gig. Try to apprecait it. It's like art. You can say some art is just a piece of crap. But it still will be art. These musicians are free they can play whatever they want. They played so much music there are no boundaries anymore. They can play what they feel
Yeah, what Nicholas Welp said - "He's like an abstract impressionist...", and a very high performing one at that. I wonder how much of Tony Williams style could be attributed to this great master?
There is a DVD. Since this is a short documentary it's been packaged with a short that's devoted to Jaki Byard's music. Search for "Jaki Byard: Anything For Jazz / Elvin Jones: Different Drummer". There are copies available thru Amazon.
I just started playing again and to hear him talk about the cymbals like water and stones along with the colors of the drums...I get that, I see that like the set is a piece of paper that you can pull the colors out of
Therre is toom for rlvin jones , art blakey, max roach, tony williams , danny richmond, philly joe jones at the top. You can listrn to them all, elvin jones was such a nice maan, i rember him getting of stage at ronnie scotts to shake the aufiernce handss. Hiw many jazz musicians like to greet peoples hands? I am looking forr an album of him hoinh to cuba or west asfrica to play polyrhythmics. But in cuba they play western drums with bongo drums. But if he was unleashed on cubans or purto ricans, he would dazzzle. The jazz machine is undervalued as a group, but it kept jazz alive onthe 1970s whixh wqs a tough tine for our music.
... indeed, it's some time ago now. I just realised that instead of Pat LaBarbara, it was actually Azar Lawrence on sax at the Goettingen 1976s concert.
I loved hearing him talk about sounds and colors. He probably has synesthesia - a condition (but a wonderful one) where the brain doesn't fully separate certain senses.
"This, this, this is more related to red´s and yellow´s here"......WWWOOOASSSHHHH!!!! LOL, cracked me up! Probably some jazz tobacco before this was shot;-)
A lot of musicians see music in terms of color.I'm a player myself and I experience flashes of color when I listen to horns.Lots of warm colors:orange and pink and tan.
I respect that Johnny Albit disagrees with the majority. However, it's sad that he equates posting superlative and generalized insults as having an opinion. If you'd kindly share WHAT it is about his playing style grinds your gears, THAT would be an opinion. Do you hate the way he tunes his drums, prefer a more technical drumming style, or... what? I'd prefer to think that everyone has a valid opinion, if they only give pause to think through about what they really want to say, instead of just reacting in angry, broad-swathed ways. It comes off as trolling, and nothing more. Good day to Mr. Albit and all posting on here. R.I.P., Mr. Jones. I miss you. Thank you, Edu Nali, for sharing this video.
No need to call you anything. I know where you're coming from. This music takes time. Jazz in general take time. Don't even try to listen to it. Play it in the background as you go about your daily routines. Even while taking a nap. Something in you will be listening and then one day it all comes together. Then it would be hard to recall when you never truly loved this music. Think of liking Michael Bay as a director and then one day you're exposed to Kurosawa or Fellini. Then, boom!
are you kidding !!! no wonder this guy is a friggin genius --The main reason_ HE LIVES THE DRUMSET- IN HIS TIME ALVIE- JUst like Cltrane -Can't be quantified>
Hi Rick, I uploaded this videos a while ago, and I'm having a hard time finding them in my computer... But you can download them from youtube, you just have to find the right software for it! google it! if I find them here I let you know!
You obviously are only thinking of the drummer, not the music. Go and listen to "Passion Dance" by McCoy Tyner, all of "A Love Supreme," as well as the album "Heavy Things" from Elvin with Richard Davis. Point is, he made the MUSIC king, focusing on making the music at hand sound the best it possibly could. Obviously Trane didn't know shit, right? What's misguided is to think one's technical abilities make the music good. Miles Davis wasn't a virtuoso trumpet player, but his music always killed.
That came to mind for me too, but then I wondered whether that would mean that to the rare person with Synesthesia he might seem like an artist, but to the rest his abilities would seem like incomprehensible drivel, when in reality, it's for the most part capable drummers and jazz musicians that are fans of elvin. I'm not denying your assertion, I'm just not entirely settled on it.
Oh lets all pray god "Elvin!" Because we know "Elvin" was so good! "Elvin" changed drumming! "Elvin" was an innovator! Reality check: he stunk, the most overrated so-called drummer to ever pick up sticks. Every single thing i've ever heard from him he craps the bed.
You never heard a love duoreme, sonny rollins live st yhe villsge vanguard. Why would the two greatest musicians havr him as a drummer, he propelled them to be greater
clearly the best drummer of all time.
After hearing him talk about the colors, I now completely understand Elvin Jones' drumming. I get it.
Saw Elvin several times in the late 70's at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago. Sat so close once, I used my foot to keep his bass from creeping. He lost a stick during a solo and I caught it. When he finished I handed the stick back to him but he waved me off and instead gave me the matching stick to complete the pair. Some 34 years later I still have those sticks and treasure them dearly. A great man and a great artist. Thanks for posting this documentary.
Elvin described drum sounds in such a majestic way. The greatest polyrhythmic drummer ever. His approach to the set was indeed unmatched.
Always loved seeing Elvin at the Vanguard. His drumming was fantastic but he also brought out the best in other musicians. Remember one time a guy from the audience sat in who had just got off his security guard gig. Upstaged La Barbera, who you see here, for sure. So much fun to hear Elvin talk. A uniquely realized person who expressed fine thoughts in a singular way. Mischievous and ironic. The fun in it. Nights with Sonny Fortune were pretty memorable.
"The cymbals are like when pebbles are splashed in a pool of water." That whole bit about colors was beautiful.
Here was just amazing and sweet as pie. I remember I night in Boston where I had seen him for the first time. I went up to say hello and he gave me a big bear hug and lifted me off the ground and gave me a gentile smile and said a few soft spoken words.Never forgot it. Loved his style.Boy did he hit hard...
The best ever !!!
Could listen to this guy all day. What a master he was....Beautiful.
Best thing I've ever seen. God Bless U Mr. Nali & UA-cam 4 ever...!!!
I saw Elvin Jones at Sandy's Jazz Revival in Beverly MA in the late 70's. He was a very physical and charismatic drummer, so much so, that it was hard to watch anyone eles in the band. He was awesome. He also smoked way too much which most likely contributed to his death.
The fact that there are about 15 people clapping at the end. Wow. But they are clapping with the weight of a 1000 friendly drunks who bothered to show up to see something unimaginable.
THAT is amazing. great group.
ELVIN... thank you
Wow, I wish I could experience his playing from his eyes. What a treasure that would be.
The word "sublime" comes to mind here. Thankyou Edu for posting this. Waves of sound, and he really took advantage of all the "colours" of the drumset, especially the hi and low toms, combined with the offbeat bass drum. An amazing wall of sound. I remember listening to "A Love Supreme" over and over again. It was a religious experience.
I saw this line-up with Pat LaBarbara, Ryo Kawasaki aund David Williams back in October 1976 in Goettingen (Germany). I still have the cassette recorded with my hidden tape recorder - sorry Elvin. Thanks for that unforgetable evening! Closing my eyes, I still can see you right in front of me, hitting the drum so deeply.
@TomasMikaX the band is:
Pat La Barbera - Sax
Ryo Kawasaki - Guitar
David Williams - Bass
I used to see Pat La Barbera almost every day at Humber College. Did an improv. class with him. Super nice guy.
what a sound!....i love the sound he created
This is why you cannot learn how to play like Elvin....he is one of a kind! The had his own way of thinking and feeling the drums....even his hi-hat beat is like no one else's. Just feels different and soooooooo gooooood!!
Saw this documentary on a tiny screen at the Bleecker Street cinema in New York when it was first released. Enjoyed it so much. Had a poster from it. Remember there was a scene of a large family reunion that looked like a lot of fun--a big picnic table with Elvin and family, including Hank and Thad Jones, if I'm not mistaken.
This was great. I love Elvin's style of drumming, it feels so alive and inspired.
Pure Soundtrip😎🍺🍺🍺
Elvin is such a great man!
We had that in New York when WRVR was the Jazz Radio Station.
Merci !!!
First go to a Jazz gig. Try to apprecait it. It's like art. You can say some art is just a piece of crap. But it still will be art. These musicians are free they can play whatever they want. They played so much music there are no boundaries anymore. They can play what they feel
Elvin, colors of cymbals & drums interview!
Elvin was the Greatest saw him perform many times
Yeah, what Nicholas Welp said - "He's like an abstract impressionist...", and a very high performing one at that. I wonder how much of Tony Williams style could be attributed to this great master?
There is a DVD. Since this is a short documentary it's been packaged with a short that's devoted to Jaki Byard's music.
Search for "Jaki Byard: Anything For Jazz / Elvin Jones: Different Drummer". There are copies available thru Amazon.
wow
I just started playing again and to hear him talk about the cymbals like water and stones along with the colors of the drums...I get that, I see that like the set is a piece of paper that you can pull the colors out of
simply the best...will play my set while smoking¡¡ maybe it was his secret¡¡¡
Thank's for posting. Just brilliant.
Therre is toom for rlvin jones , art blakey, max roach, tony williams , danny richmond, philly joe jones at the top.
You can listrn to them all, elvin jones was such a nice maan, i rember him getting of stage at ronnie scotts to shake the aufiernce handss. Hiw many jazz musicians like to greet peoples hands?
I am looking forr an album of him hoinh to cuba or west asfrica to play polyrhythmics.
But in cuba they play western drums with bongo drums. But if he was unleashed on cubans or purto ricans, he would dazzzle.
The jazz machine is undervalued as a group, but it kept jazz alive onthe 1970s whixh wqs a tough tine for our music.
... indeed, it's some time ago now. I just realised that instead of Pat LaBarbara, it was actually Azar Lawrence on sax at the Goettingen 1976s concert.
Someone get me an ashtray. I want one!
I loved hearing him talk about sounds and colors. He probably has synesthesia - a condition (but a wonderful one) where the brain doesn't fully separate certain senses.
"This, this, this is more related to red´s and yellow´s here"......WWWOOOASSSHHHH!!!!
LOL, cracked me up! Probably some jazz tobacco before this was shot;-)
fire and magic
As somebody with synaesthesia, Elvin's playing makes a lot of sense. It's a total sensory overload of colour and texture.
Thanks for posting this!!!
Apparently he had synesthesia, pretty cool. I think I like Elvin even more now!
A lot of musicians see music in terms of color.I'm a player myself and I experience flashes of color when I listen to horns.Lots of warm colors:orange and pink and tan.
Elvin 'mutant' Jones😎🍺🍺🍺🍺
thanks for uploading!
Man elvin jones does not play like a normal human being he's so cool
It would be interesting to have johnny albit tell us who = good. Pure and simple.
That's Elvin's composition "Three Card Molly" that they're playing.
@RevWrona me too! thanks for commenting!!
I don't know if there is a DVD. There might be some videos of this gig on youtube. Elvin Jones Quartet!
I respect that Johnny Albit disagrees with the majority. However, it's sad that he equates posting superlative and generalized insults as having an opinion. If you'd kindly share WHAT it is about his playing style grinds your gears, THAT would be an opinion. Do you hate the way he tunes his drums, prefer a more technical drumming style, or... what? I'd prefer to think that everyone has a valid opinion, if they only give pause to think through about what they really want to say, instead of just reacting in angry, broad-swathed ways. It comes off as trolling, and nothing more. Good day to Mr. Albit and all posting on here. R.I.P., Mr. Jones. I miss you. Thank you, Edu Nali, for sharing this video.
hey his heads aren't worn out, they are worn in!! =]
1:34 the reason of seeing colors and circles
wow im stoned too elvin!
No need to call you anything. I know where you're coming from. This music takes time. Jazz in general take time. Don't even try to listen to it. Play it in the background as you go about your daily routines. Even while taking a nap. Something in you will be listening and then one day it all comes together. Then it would be hard to recall when you never truly loved this music. Think of liking Michael Bay as a director and then one day you're exposed to Kurosawa or Fellini. Then, boom!
are you kidding !!! no wonder this guy is a friggin genius --The main reason_ HE LIVES
THE DRUMSET- IN HIS TIME ALVIE- JUst like Cltrane -Can't be quantified>
Thanks for posting this Edu, will it be possible for you to email me a copy of the documentary thanks?
Hi Rick, I uploaded this videos a while ago, and I'm having a hard time finding them in my computer... But you can download them from youtube, you just have to find the right software for it! google it! if I find them here I let you know!
what are you reasons for thinking this? what aspects of his technique or style or whatever do you not like?
Is there a DVD you can buy of this gig? I would love to know what it's called!
You obviously are only thinking of the drummer, not the music. Go and listen to "Passion Dance" by McCoy Tyner, all of "A Love Supreme," as well as the album "Heavy Things" from Elvin with Richard Davis.
Point is, he made the MUSIC king, focusing on making the music at hand sound the best it possibly could. Obviously Trane didn't know shit, right?
What's misguided is to think one's technical abilities make the music good. Miles Davis wasn't a virtuoso trumpet player, but his music always killed.
I believe that's John McLaughlin on guitar.
Great story. Did he know you used your foot to keep his bass drum from sliding?
ok you've expressed your opinion! now go watch the drummers you like and stop bothering!!
That came to mind for me too, but then I wondered whether that would mean that to the rare person with Synesthesia he might seem like an artist, but to the rest his abilities would seem like incomprehensible drivel, when in reality, it's for the most part capable drummers and jazz musicians that are fans of elvin. I'm not denying your assertion, I'm just not entirely settled on it.
Who is the sax player who plays at 5:00?
He's like an abstract expressionist, but drumming rather than painting
This just sounds like a bunch of noise to me.........call me what you will.....
Drum heads are like hookers, they get better the more worn out they are. Does that sound right? I think I need to work on that one a bit.
Oh lets all pray god "Elvin!" Because we know "Elvin" was so good! "Elvin" changed drumming! "Elvin" was an innovator! Reality check: he stunk, the most overrated so-called drummer to ever pick up sticks. Every single thing i've ever heard from him he craps the bed.
You never heard a love duoreme, sonny rollins live st yhe villsge vanguard.
Why would the two greatest musicians havr him as a drummer, he propelled them to be greater