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Elvin Ray Jones ( September 9, 1927 - May 18, 2004) was a jazz drummer. He was born in Pontiac, Michigan, the youngest child in a family of ten. His father worked for General Motors. Two of Jones' brothers were also jazz musicians: Hank ( piano), and Thad ( trumpet/ flugelhorn). Elvin began playing professionally in the 1940s, working with the Army Special Services program, Operation Happiness , and in 1949 had a short-lived gig in Detroit's Grand River Street club. Eventually he went on to play with artists such as Charlie ParkerCharlie Parker ( August 29, 1920 March 12, 1955) was a jazz saxophonist and composer, and one of the top musical innovators of the 20th century. Parker is commonly considered one of the half-dozen greatest jazz musicians, on a level with Louis Armstrong,, Miles DavisMiles Davis ( May 26, 1926 September 28, 1991) was an American jazz composer, trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist and was one of the most influential, innovative and original musicians of the twentieth century. In terms of importance to the history of jaz, and Wardell Grey . In 19551955 is a common year starting on Saturday. see link for calendar) Events January events January 2 Panama president Jose Antonio Remon is assassinated. January 19 The Scrabble board game debuts. February events February 8 Nikolai Bulganin ousts Georgi Mal, after a failed audition for the Benny GoodmanBenny Goodman born Benjamin David Goodman ( May 30, 1909 June 13, 1986) was a famous Jazz musician, known as "King of Swing," "Patriarch of the Clarinet," and "Swing's Senior Statesman". Goodman was born in Chicago, the son of poor Jewish immigrants who l band, he found work in New YorkNew York is a state in the northeastern United States whose U. postal abbreviation is NY . It is sometimes called New York State when there is need to distinguish it from New York City. History See: History of New York New York was one of the thirteen col, joining Charles MingusCharles Mingus ( April 22, 1922 January 5, 1979) was a jazz bassist, composer, bandleader, and occasional pianist. He is also known for his activism regarding racial segregation. Mingus' legacy is enormous: He is generally ranked among the finest jazz com's band, and releasing a record called J is for Jazz.
In 1960Events January-February January 1 Independence of Cameroon January 9 Aswan High Dam construction begins in Egypt January 11 Chad declares its independence. January 14 Ralph Chubb, the gay poet and printer, dies at Fair Oak Cottage in Hampshire. January 23, he joined with the classic John ColtraneJohn Coltrane ( September 23, 1926 July 17, 1967) was a famous jazz saxophonist. Early life Born in Hamlet, North Carolina, Coltrane grew up in High Point, North Carolina and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in June 1943. He was inducted into the Navy Quartet , which also included Jimmy Garrison and McCoy Tyner, and stayed with Coltrane until 1966. Coltrane's music, which became to be highly influential, often found him in long duet passages with the saxophonist. It is widely considered to have re-defined " swing" (the rhythmic feel of jazz) in much the same manner that Louis Armstrong did during the initial stages of jazz's development.
After leaving the Coltrane group, Jones played with Duke Ellington, and eventually formed his own touring group. Jazz Machine , normally a quintet, continued in the same musical direction. His sense of timing, polyrhythms, dynamics, timbre, and legato phrasing--as well as the sheer mass of sound he produced--brought the drumset to the fore. Jones was touted by Life Magazine as "the world's greatest rhythmic drummer".
Jones, who taught regularly, often took part in clinics, played in schools, and gave free concerts in prisons. His lessons emphasised music history as well as drumming technique. Elvin Jones died of heart failure in Englewood, New Jersey on May 18, 2004.
