ELVIN
There aren’t many musicians that have had the impact on my life and career as much as the late great Elvin Jones. I was lucky enough to get to see him when I was a kid, just starting to learn how to play. When I first heard him play, I have to say I didn’t really “get” it. I hate to say this but his playing sounded kind of sloppy to mY 15 year old ears. The crazy thing is as I listened to him play, specifically in relation to the quarter note bass line, I started to realize that he was definitely NOT sloppy but my ears were just having a hard time feeling the beat in his playing. He was playing AROUND the beat. Once I was able to understand that, I was hooked and now he’s one of my main influences and a drum idol of mine and many others. Do yourself a favor and get in to him!