Born in 1927, drummer Elvin Jones became part of jazz history when he joined the John Coltrane Quartet in 1960. Not only was that group, which also included McCoy Tyner on piano and Paul Chambers on bass, long-lived by jazz standards (they were together for some six years), the band also made some of the most important records of the post-bop era, including A Love Supreme, My Favorite Things, and Live at the Village Vanguard. Jones' subsequent career wasn't quite as stellar, but this 1991 concert filmed in Stuttgart, Germany is still remarkable. Smooth jazz it ain't: this is aggressive, challenging music, often harsh, rarely mellow, and definitely not for the faint of heart. Only three selections are played during the hour-long program presented in Dolby Digital stereo, featuring lots of extended soloing by all of the musicians (including bassist Chip Jackson, pianist Willie Pickens, and saxophonists Sonny Fortune and Ravi Coltrane, John's son). But these are all world-class players, each with an original sound—especially Jackson, whose solos are marvels of invention, chops, and wit. As for Jones, who was in his mid-‘60s at the time, calling him "the world's greatest rhythmic drummer," as one pundit did, sounds redundant—after all, what drummer isn't rhythmic? But the description fits, somehow: while the music swings, it also never loses the distinctive heaviness and drive provided by Jones. While not for everyone, this will be appreciated by serious jazzbos. Recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)
Elvin Jones: Jazz Machine
(1993) 60 min. DVD: $19.98. V.I.E.W. Video (avail. from most distributors). ISBN: 0-8030-2346-4. Volume 23, Issue 3
Elvin Jones: Jazz Machine
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