Jack DeJohnette: One Inspiring Mofo

[Postlethwaite Windschitl]

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.

PW

[Bill Le May]

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.

[George]

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.

[jade...@yahoo.com]

>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.

[-MIKE-]

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
mi...@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

[whk....@gmail.com]

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
ainttha...@gmail.com. The tracks are Megalopolis (Chris Potter,
Traveling Mercies) and Down D (John Scofield, This Meets That).

--Flamdaddy for ATG

[Aaron Draper]

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.
:-)

--
....Aaron
"He does seem to have a good amount of 'self of steam' for a retard though."
--Robert Schuh
www.myspace.com/thateightiesguy
www.myspace.com/baileyscomet
"-MIKE-" <mi...@mikedrumsDOT.com> wrote in message
news:kM6dnTYHSu64BDHV...@comcast.com...

[-MIKE-]

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-]

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.

[Aaron Draper]

LOL, you're welcome. As a part-time writer myself, I always appreciate a
well-written and creative post like yours.

--
....Aaron
"He does seem to have a good amount of 'self of steam' for a retard though."
--Robert Schuh
www.myspace.com/thateightiesguy
www.myspace.com/baileyscomet
"-MIKE-" <mi...@mikedrumsDOT.com> wrote in message

news:scmdnRkNa-4rUzHV...@comcast.com...

[tschultz]

Hey Schuh-why the fake identity?

"Postlethwaite Windschitl" <akai...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:95bdcfd0-00aa-4861...@d77g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...

[tschultz]

DeJohnette SUCKS COCK--He is another in a long line of NO talent 40-50 era
Negros who somehow sucked their way to being known.

All that shit is SHIT

"Postlethwaite Windschitl" <akai...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
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