The drumming legend Jack DeJohnette has left an indelible mark on the jazz world. The 83-year-old percussionist, pianist, composer, and bandleader who passed away recently was a true visionary behind the kit. His life's work is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the art form, which spanned over six decades.
From its early beginnings in Chicago, DeJohnette's musical journey took him down a winding path of discovery, marked by influences from R&B to free jazz. As a teenager, he began singing doo-wop and playing rock piano, but it wasn't long before he was drawn back into the world of jazz, where he honed his skills alongside local heroes like Sun Ra and Eddie Harris.
As DeJohnette's talent continued to evolve, so did his associations with some of the most influential figures in modern jazz. He joined Charles Lloyd's genre-bending quartet, worked with Miles Davis on electric bands, and sat in with John Coltrane – a career-defining moment that cemented his status as one of the most respected drummers of his generation.
One of DeJohnette's defining characteristics was his incredible range, effortlessly transitioning from blistering funk/rock grooves to tenderly nuanced acoustic settings. His ability to balance technical precision with musicality and sensitivity made him an in-demand performer for some of the biggest names in jazz and global music.
Throughout his long and storied career, DeJohnette collaborated with numerous luminaries, including Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, John Surman, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, and Dave Holland. His work on ECM Records helped shape the label's reputation as a hub for innovative and boundary-pushing jazz releases.
DeJohnette's own musical voice is characterized by his remarkable technical prowess, coupled with an intuitive sense of tone color and rhythm that has captivated audiences worldwide. As a composer and bandleader, he led numerous ensembles, including New Directions and Special Edition, which showcased his emerging compositional talents alongside his jazz piano skills.
In recent years, DeJohnette continued to tour and record as a solo pianist, exploring the intersection of jazz and global music. His most memorable recent project was "Hudson" (2017), a quartet set featuring John Scofield, John Medeski, and Larry Grenadier – a testament to his enduring passion for collaboration and creative growth.
Throughout his remarkable career, DeJohnette remained committed to pushing the boundaries of jazz and exploring new sonic landscapes. His legacy will be felt long after he is gone, inspiring generations of musicians and audiences alike with his groundbreaking work behind the drums.
From its early beginnings in Chicago, DeJohnette's musical journey took him down a winding path of discovery, marked by influences from R&B to free jazz. As a teenager, he began singing doo-wop and playing rock piano, but it wasn't long before he was drawn back into the world of jazz, where he honed his skills alongside local heroes like Sun Ra and Eddie Harris.
As DeJohnette's talent continued to evolve, so did his associations with some of the most influential figures in modern jazz. He joined Charles Lloyd's genre-bending quartet, worked with Miles Davis on electric bands, and sat in with John Coltrane – a career-defining moment that cemented his status as one of the most respected drummers of his generation.
One of DeJohnette's defining characteristics was his incredible range, effortlessly transitioning from blistering funk/rock grooves to tenderly nuanced acoustic settings. His ability to balance technical precision with musicality and sensitivity made him an in-demand performer for some of the biggest names in jazz and global music.
Throughout his long and storied career, DeJohnette collaborated with numerous luminaries, including Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, John Surman, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, and Dave Holland. His work on ECM Records helped shape the label's reputation as a hub for innovative and boundary-pushing jazz releases.
DeJohnette's own musical voice is characterized by his remarkable technical prowess, coupled with an intuitive sense of tone color and rhythm that has captivated audiences worldwide. As a composer and bandleader, he led numerous ensembles, including New Directions and Special Edition, which showcased his emerging compositional talents alongside his jazz piano skills.
In recent years, DeJohnette continued to tour and record as a solo pianist, exploring the intersection of jazz and global music. His most memorable recent project was "Hudson" (2017), a quartet set featuring John Scofield, John Medeski, and Larry Grenadier – a testament to his enduring passion for collaboration and creative growth.
Throughout his remarkable career, DeJohnette remained committed to pushing the boundaries of jazz and exploring new sonic landscapes. His legacy will be felt long after he is gone, inspiring generations of musicians and audiences alike with his groundbreaking work behind the drums.
He was like a legend or something. I listened to some of his music and it was amazing. The way he could play both fast and slow songs was so cool. And he collaborated with so many famous musicians! It's crazy to think about all the different types of music he played - R&B, free jazz, you name it. He seemed like a true artist and a pioneer in his field. I'm gonna have to check out some more of his stuff now that I know how talented he was 
i mean, i guess some people just can't keep up with this crazy world anymore 
but seriously, his contributions to jazz are still so inspiring and relevant today. the fact that he collaborated with so many iconic musicians is a testament to his dedication to the art form. also, can we talk about how cool it is that he had such an eclectic range of influences? from doo-wop to free jazz 
it's like he was always ahead of the curve, you know? anyway, RIP jack dejohnette 
Dreams like Jack DeJohnette's become a reality when we nurture our passions and never stop exploring new horizons. The drumming legend may be gone but his rhythm will live on in our hearts, inspiring us to create something beautiful.
... his life's work spanned over 6 decades, he collaborated with some of the biggest names in music and still managed to push boundaries till the end... it's crazy to think that one person had such an impact on the genre 
... I wish we could see more people like him today who are willing to take risks and innovate 
... anyway, I'm gonna make sure to check out some of his music now 
Jack DeJohnette's passing is a huge loss for us. I mean, can you believe he left us at 83?!? It feels like just yesterday we were all listening to his latest album on vinyl 
. His influence on jazz is still so strong, but I think people forget how versatile he was - from doo-wop to free jazz, he played it all. And that career-defining moment with John Coltrane... wow, what a legend! 
He had this amazing range and could switch between funk/rock and acoustic settings seamlessly. His collaborations with so many greats are still giving us jazz inspiration today 
. We're gonna miss him behind the kit, but his legacy lives on in all the musicians he inspired 
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. I mean, can you imagine having John Coltrane or Miles Davis sit in with your band? 
That's some legendary stuff right there. DeJohnette's legacy will live on for sure, but man, it's sad that we won't get to see him bring the heat behind the drums again 
DeJohnette's life story is so inspiring, from doing doo-wop to jazz to free jazz... he was one of those guys who knew how to explore different sounds and styles. I love how he collaborated with all those other jazz greats - it's crazy to think about him sitting in with John Coltrane 
it's like they were the jazz label equivalent of a vinyl collector's paradise 
his life's work was like a masterclass in jazz evolution 
his drumming skills were insane on top of being super sensitive and nuanced 
but seriously, his ability to transition between different styles & genres is a huge part of what made him so special. and let's not forget about "hudson" (2017) that project was pure magic 
can't wait to hear more about the newer artists he's inspiring 
. The dude was like a force of nature on the drums - so technical yet so soulful at the same time 
. I'm so grateful for the body of work he left behind 
also i love how he pushed the boundaries of jazz and explored new sounds, it's so inspiring for musicians like me 
- just a true legend leaving an empty seat on those drums 
ugh. I mean, what's next? A virtual wake where we all just post old photos of him and call it a day 
? And can we please stop with the overuse of jazz jargon? "Genre-bending" this, "influential figures" that... can't they just say what music he actually made 
He didn't even invent anything new or groundbreaking in terms of drumming styles or techniques. And don't even get me started on how overrated the guy is compared to other legendary jazz drummers like Elvin Jones or Tony Williams. Those guys were actually pushing the boundaries of what was possible on the drums, whereas DeJohnette just kinda showed up and played along with some cool cats 
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but what an incredible legacy he leaves behind! He was truly a trailblazer in the jazz world 
His ability to seamlessly transition between genres and his technical prowess are just mind-blowing 
He will be deeply missed but his music will live on forever