Elvin Jones

Elvin Jones was a jazz drummer famed for his involvement with the John Coltrane Quartet from 1960-1965, but also considered to be one of the all-time greats on his instrument.

Jones was born in Pontiac, Michigan in 1927. His brothers, Thad and Hank, both grew up to become jazz musicians and Elvin said that by the age of two he was already becoming interested in the drums. Following his passion he played in his school's black marching band and, following three years in the military, used his mustering out pay and a loan from his sister to buy his first drum kit in 1949.

He was soon working as a jazz drummer, beginning his career with a short stint at the Grand River Street club in Detroit. He was part of the Detroit scene for several years before moving to New York in 1955. The mid-to-late '50s saw Jones working with the likes of Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, J.J. Johnson, Donald Byrd, Tyree Glenn and Harry 'Sweets' Edison.

As the decade closed out Jones became a core member of John Coltrane's quartet, becoming an instrumental player during a very creatively fertile period. When Coltrane brought on Rashied Ali as a second drummer in 1965, however, Jones was reportedly unhappy and soon left the group.

A European tour with the Duke Ellington Orchestra followed before Jones began leading his own groups, notably the Elvin Jones Jazz Machine in the 1990s. Over the course of his time as a leader Jones worked with musicians including Frank Foster, Joe Farrell, George Coleman, Pat LaBarbera, Steve Grossman, Andrew White, Ravi Coltrane, Nicholas Payton, Jan Hammer and Gene Perla.

Eventually Jones's health began to decline but he continued to perform, sometimes playing with an oxygen tank on stage. He died of heart failure on May 18th, 2004.