Drummer Jack DeJohnette ( 1942 – 2025 ) 1/2
Saturday, January 17th, 2026, 5:00 PM – House of Hard Bop.
Drummer and composer Jack DeJohnette emerged in the 1960s. In 1966, he played in tenorist Charles Lloyd’s quartet, alongside pianist Keith Jarrett (with whom he would continue to work for 40 years). In 1969, Miles Davis brought him into his band, succeeding Tony Williams. These were the early years of a long, highly productive, and stylistically diverse career. Influenced by Roy Haynes, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, and Tony Williams, DeJohnette, in turn, became a source of inspiration for a younger generation of drummers. In this hour, you’ll hear DeJohnette as a sideman on hard bop recordings from the 1960s.
In September 1965, DeJohnette was at the Rudy van Gelder Studio, recording for the Blue Note label. It was his recording debut! The group also consists of trumpeters Charles Tolliver and Lee Morgan, pianist Larry Willis, bassist Larry Ridley, and leader Jackie McLean on alto sax. Album title: Jacknife*).
On the Nile (Charles Tolliver) “Exotic” atmosphere. Modal pattern. The solos sound against a solid background, characterized by repeated figures in piano, bass, and drums. A gently swinging 6/4 time signature. DeJohnette creates a “floating” effect during the solo sections, with an accent just after the 5th beat. They take their time. It’s a long river, after all. 12’34”.
Climax (DeJohnette) Speed and tension. Surprisingly drawn-out theme. The energetic DeJohnette dials down the volume during the piano solo, but remains extremely alert and follows it up with another solo. What a drummer…
Soft Blue (Lee Morgan) From climax to soft. Many elements are similar to On the Nile, such as strong, repeated accompaniment figures in piano, bass, and drums. Both trumpet players solo, which invites comparison. Who’s who? The piano solo exposes an out-of-tune c”. No money for a piano tuner?
Jacknife (Charles Tolliver) From ‘Soft’ back to ‘Climax’ – in tempo, intensity, and energy level. Thrilling!
Blue Fable (McLean) A welcome variation on a relaxed theme by leader Jackie McLean. This is followed by his beautiful improvisation, with his characteristic intonation ‘on the ‘edge’. —————————————-
Two years later, McLean and DeJohnette are back together at the Van Gelder Studio, now accompanied by Woody Shaw (trumpet, flugelhorn), LaMont Johnson (piano), and bassist Scotty Holt. The album is titled Demon’s Dance. The cover designer knew exactly what to do with it.
Two tracks: Demon’s Dance (McLean) and Toyland (Cal Massey). Listen and compare.
House of Hard Bop – Eric Ineke
(Jack DeJohnette died in October 2025, at the age of 83.) *) The title Jacknife evokes an association. McLean played with bandleader Charles Mingus in 1956. At one point, Mingus—known as the ‘Angry Man of Jazz’ for his physical excesses—tried to punch McLean in the face. McLean pulled a knife and held him at bay. He was fired. (Click for more information about Mingus’ aggressiveness.)
