And I use "mofo" in the most complimentary sense. I am not a jazz drummer, so I can't say that Jack is an "influence." However, I listen to him all the time and feel inspired by him whenever I do. Is there a more original or creative mind behind a drum set today, or in the last four decades? He does things on his instrument that 99% of drummers couldn't even imagine, let alone execute with such elegance and integrity.
I even feel like I practice better after listening to Jack. I'm more open and in tune with what I'm doing, and more willing to try new things. Again, I'm more along the lines of a Phil Rudd/Charlie Watts/ Al Jackson, Jr., type of player myself (not that I'm anywhere near their level), so Jack's stuff is lightyears away from anything I could do. But as a drummer and a musician, he makes playing the drums much more interesting than almost anyone else I can think of.
I feel the same about Bill Stewart. A close friend who is a phenomenal bass player on the West Coast once described a drummer he worked with as "playing something surprising almost every measure." That's Bill Stewart to me.
You hit it square on the head there, I feel the same way after listening..Jack's the shit man! No one I hold in higher regard. I loves me some Vinnie, Erskine, Carlock, Wackerman and a ton of others, but the pure art that comes out of Jack is unmatched in uniqueness. If you hear a tunes he's on, it's immediately identifiable by that bass drum alone, not to mention his swing, tuning and fills. All his playing on record is superb, but I think my favorite is "Batik" by Ralph Towner. Check it out if you can, I think it came out around '78??? G.
On Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:33:47 -0700 (PDT), Postlethwaite Windschitl
<akaise...@hotmail.com> wrote: >And I use "mofo" in the most complimentary sense. I am not a jazz >drummer, so I can't say that Jack is an "influence." However, I >listen to him all the time and feel inspired by him whenever I do. Is >there a more original or creative mind behind a drum set today, or in >the last four decades? He does things on his instrument that 99% of >drummers couldn't even imagine, let alone execute with such elegance >and integrity.
>I even feel like I practice better after listening to Jack. I'm more >open and in tune with what I'm doing, and more willing to try new >things. Again, I'm more along the lines of a Phil Rudd/Charlie Watts/ >Al Jackson, Jr., type of player myself (not that I'm anywhere near >their level), so Jack's stuff is lightyears away from anything I could >do. But as a drummer and a musician, he makes playing the drums much >more interesting than almost anyone else I can think of.
>He does things on his instrument that 99% of > drummers couldn't even imagine, let alone execute with such elegance > and integrity.
Indeed. I've been listening to Jack since his early days with the Charles Lloyd Quartet in the 60's, and his playing is always immediately identifiable to me. Talk about having your own voice! I recently saw him in a trio concert setting with Chick Corea and Bobby McFerrin, and he sounded as unique as ever. Jack's 66 yrs old now and looks maybe 40 -- what an inspiration ... aging beautifully.
The special gift that Jack has always had is that he NEVER sounds like he's playing "licks", or patterns or solos he's worked out ahead of time. He's just channeling the music, instantaneously translating thoughts & emotions into sounds. It's really beyond "technique" at that point, in my view.
He's also a superb pianist, which likely contributes to his towering musicianship.
George wrote: >All his playing on record is superb, but I think my favorite is >"Batik" by Ralph Towner. Check it out if you can, I think it came out >around '78???
Oh man, you are sooo right. I've been meaning to get a new copy of that. A timeless piece of music.
Postlethwaite Windschitl wrote: > He does things on his instrument that 99% of > drummers couldn't even imagine, let alone execute with such elegance > and integrity.
From a Nov '99 post I made after working the main stage at the PASIC convention in Columbus, OH..... -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack DeJohnette's clinic featured the most musical drumming of all. Not a surprise to his fans.
After a quick opening dialogue, Jack sat down at his white sparkle Sonor Designers and began an incredible 40 minute drum composition. He went through the most vast spectrum of dynamics and sonic colors I've ever heard from a drummer. His playing absolutely captured everyone in the hall. I looked at my watch (I was responsible for starting and stopping all clinics, on time) after he finished the solo, and I thought it was wrong. I couldn't believe 40 minutes had passed. There wasn't a dull moment in his solo. It told a story, it took us on a journey. He almost left our presence, off into whatever world he enters, when he creates and molds on his palette. The power and passion this man displayed should be aspired to by us all.
There's not much more to say about it. Jack doesn't say much and he doesn't have to. He says it all behind the kit. He is by far, one of the most musical drummers ever. --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
-MIKE-
"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life" --Elvin Jones (1927-2004) -- http://mikedrums.com m...@mikedrumsDOT.com ---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply
> >He does things on his instrument that 99% of > > drummers couldn't even imagine, let alone execute with such elegance > > and integrity.
> Indeed. I've been listening to Jack since his early days with the > Charles Lloyd Quartet in the 60's, and his playing is always > immediately identifiable to me. Talk about having your own voice! I > recently saw him in a trio concert setting with Chick Corea and Bobby > McFerrin, and he sounded as unique as ever. Jack's 66 yrs old now and > looks maybe 40 -- what an inspiration ... aging beautifully.
> The special gift that Jack has always had is that he NEVER sounds like > he's playing "licks", or patterns or solos he's worked out ahead of > time. He's just channeling the music, instantaneously translating > thoughts & emotions into sounds. It's really beyond "technique" at > that point, in my view.
> He's also a superb pianist, which likely contributes to his towering > musicianship.
> George wrote: > >All his playing on record is superb, but I think my favorite is > >"Batik" by Ralph Towner. Check it out if you can, I think it came out > >around '78???
> Oh man, you are sooo right. I've been meaning to get a new copy of > that. A timeless piece of music.
> ~ peace, Kevin J.
I agree with "all of the above" (and below) about drummer Jack DeJohnette. That's why he's the drummer featured most often on my webcast, followed closely by Bill Stewart. If yawl have any additional suggestions for tracks from Jack or Bill, send them my way.
As it happens, my upcoming jazz drumming 'cast features Bill on two tracks. If you'd like to comment on the air about Bill's performance (i.e., I'll read your comments during the cast), forward them to me at aintthatagro...@gmail.com. The tracks are Megalopolis (Chris Potter, Traveling Mercies) and Down D (John Scofield, This Meets That).
> Postlethwaite Windschitl wrote: >> He does things on his instrument that 99% of >> drummers couldn't even imagine, let alone execute with such elegance >> and integrity.
> From a Nov '99 post I made after working the main stage at the > PASIC convention in Columbus, OH..... > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Jack DeJohnette's clinic featured the most musical drumming of all. Not a > surprise to his fans.
> After a quick opening dialogue, Jack sat down at his white sparkle Sonor > Designers and began an incredible 40 minute drum composition. He went > through the most vast spectrum of dynamics and sonic colors I've ever > heard > from a drummer. His playing absolutely captured everyone in the hall. I > looked at my watch (I was responsible for starting and stopping all > clinics, > on time) after he finished the solo, and I thought it was wrong. I > couldn't > believe 40 minutes had passed. There wasn't a dull moment in his solo. It > told a story, it took us on a journey. He almost left our presence, off > into whatever world he enters, when he creates and molds on his palette. > The power and passion this man displayed should be aspired to by us all.
> There's not much more to say about it. Jack doesn't say much and he > doesn't > have to. He says it all behind the kit. He is by far, one of the most > musical drummers ever. > --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --
> -MIKE-
> "Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life" > --Elvin Jones (1927-2004) > -- > http://mikedrums.com > m...@mikedrumsDOT.com > ---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply
Aaron Draper wrote: > And, BTW, that was one of the most well-written posts I have ever read in > here. Well done, -MIKE-, even if the compliment is almost 9 years late. > :-)
You know what's funny, Aaron!? I was reading it, thinking to myself, "Man, have I gotten dumb in my old age." :-)
--
-MIKE-
"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life" --Elvin Jones (1927-2004) -- http://mikedrums.com m...@mikedrumsDOT.com ---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply
Aaron Draper wrote: > And, BTW, that was one of the most well-written posts I have ever read in > here. Well done, -MIKE-, even if the compliment is almost 9 years late. > :-)
Oh yeah, thank you.
--
-MIKE-
"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life" --Elvin Jones (1927-2004) -- http://mikedrums.com m...@mikedrumsDOT.com ---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply
> Aaron Draper wrote: >> And, BTW, that was one of the most well-written posts I have ever read in >> here. Well done, -MIKE-, even if the compliment is almost 9 years late. >> :-)
> Oh yeah, thank you.
> --
> -MIKE-
> "Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life" > --Elvin Jones (1927-2004) > -- > http://mikedrums.com > m...@mikedrumsDOT.com > ---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply
> And I use "mofo" in the most complimentary sense. I am not a jazz > drummer, so I can't say that Jack is an "influence." However, I > listen to him all the time and feel inspired by him whenever I do. Is > there a more original or creative mind behind a drum set today, or in > the last four decades? He does things on his instrument that 99% of > drummers couldn't even imagine, let alone execute with such elegance > and integrity.
> I even feel like I practice better after listening to Jack. I'm more > open and in tune with what I'm doing, and more willing to try new > things. Again, I'm more along the lines of a Phil Rudd/Charlie Watts/ > Al Jackson, Jr., type of player myself (not that I'm anywhere near > their level), so Jack's stuff is lightyears away from anything I could > do. But as a drummer and a musician, he makes playing the drums much > more interesting than almost anyone else I can think of.
> And I use "mofo" in the most complimentary sense. I am not a jazz > drummer, so I can't say that Jack is an "influence." However, I > listen to him all the time and feel inspired by him whenever I do. Is > there a more original or creative mind behind a drum set today, or in > the last four decades? He does things on his instrument that 99% of > drummers couldn't even imagine, let alone execute with such elegance > and integrity.
> I even feel like I practice better after listening to Jack. I'm more > open and in tune with what I'm doing, and more willing to try new > things. Again, I'm more along the lines of a Phil Rudd/Charlie Watts/ > Al Jackson, Jr., type of player myself (not that I'm anywhere near > their level), so Jack's stuff is lightyears away from anything I could > do. But as a drummer and a musician, he makes playing the drums much > more interesting than almost anyone else I can think of.
