Known by the nickname papa jo jones, he was a jazz drummer who collaborated with artists like art blakey and sonny stitt. He was a alabama jazz hall of fame inductee in 1974. Its widely agreed upon that papa jo was the archetype of modern drumming. It was transcribed over the course of 10 years by joerg eckel, a student of john rileys. The drums by jo jones, was the brainchild of longtime french jazz critic and champion of swing, hugues panassie. After growing up in alabama, jones worked as a drummer and tap dancer. Jun 25, 2019 the section included count basie, piano. The man known to so many as papa jo spent 74 years on this earth until he passed away after a valiant battle with cancer on september 3, 1985. My teacher, who taught me more in our sessions at franks than i can possibly say. As with many of my big band transcriptions, i only notated the bass drum when i could hear a variation or accent. The drums by jo jones, was the brainchild of longtime french jazz critic and. But however many bells and whistles a drummer adds, any modern kit employs a standard mix of drums and cymbals.
Such was the immeasurable contribution of jo jones, whose elegant. A band leader and pioneer in jazz percussion, jones anchored the count basie orchestra rhythm section from 1934 to 1948. Jones took on the honorific papa in later years to differentiate himself from drummer philly joe jones. Jo jones has remained an icon of jazz drumming for decades and his influence. The drums was originally released on jazz odyssey records, the catalog of which was taken over in 2005 by the producer of this rerelease, laurent verdeaux. Jan 01, 2019 jonathan david samuel jones was born on october 7, 1911, in chicago, illinois. For those requiring even more indepth information, the obvious solution is to find a copy of the drums by jo jones jazz odyssey, french import, an extraordinary tworecord set papa jo did around 1970 in paris for producer hugues panassie.
And since jones was on tour with milt buckner at the time of the recording, there is a bonus track of the duos 1969 recording of caravan taken from laventure du jazz, a french documentation of jazz greats filmed in new york and. In the count basie orchestra from 193648, jo jones redefined jazz drumming. In 1973, papa jo recorded a highly unusual album that has gone unnoticed by many jazz fans. Known as papa jo jones in his later years, he is sometimes confused with another. Gene krupa and jo jones were followed by max roach and elvin jones in jazz, before rock drummers such as keith moon of the who and neil peart of rush made drumming a theatrical performance with their monster kits.
To whom i owe a neverending debt of gratitude for starting me down the path of appreciation of fine vintage drums way back in 1975. Jo jones influenced swing and bop drummers by shifting the timekeeping role of the drums from the bass drum to the hihat cymbal. In its basic form, rubadub, as described by chris smith, is a three8th note pattern played in 4 meters. Jonathan david samuel jones october 7, 1911 september 3, 1985 was an american jazz. Recorded in 1973 except for the last track, which was recorded in 1969. The man known to so many as papa jo spent 74 years on this earth. Comes with substantial booklet featuring some good pictures of jo jones. What surprised me most is that i hadnt heard it until now. Jonathan david samuel jones was born in 1911 in chicago, where he was captivated by. He lightened up on the fourbeatsto the bar standard of bass drum playing, was possibly the first to use the ride cymbal as the main timekeeping accessory, and did all with a graceful. Interview, spoken word, jazz cd jo jones the drums. I was lucky enough to get a copy of the 1973 book and cd by papa jo jones called the drums. Simply put, jazz drumming eras could arguably be viewed as prepapa and post papa. Jo jones time as he plays behind ray bryants piano solo first two choruses piano and drums trading fours six choruses out melodydescription.
Percussionist richard pite joins alyn shipton to select jones s finest recordings, and to demonstrate some of his. My drum teacher recently told me about the album the drums by papa jo jones. In 1934, he joined count basies band, influencing the. Until i met you jo jones played drums part of count basie.
While watching the video of all of me below, encourage students to listen to the bass and drums in the basie band as they complement each other. He was sometimes known as papa jo jones to distinguish him from younger drummer philly joe jones. Papa jo jones 1911 1985 jo jones shifted the timekeeping role of the drums from the bass drum to the hihat cymbal, greatly influencing all swing and bop drummers. Such was the immeasurable contribution of jo jones, whose elegant touch, feel, and sound marked a connecting bridge to our modern sense of jazz swing. There are over 320 380 pages of philly joe jones drum solo transcriptions in the book. However, this album, while uniformly excellent on every track, is significant because of little susie track 8. Apr 08, 2018 welcome to music circle jo jones drum solo 1964 jonathan david samuel jones october 7, 1911 september 3, 1985 was an american jazz drummer. Walter page bass jo jones drums freddie green the ultimate swing rhythm section guitarist the name freddie green is synonymous with this style play like freddie green perfectly even strumming of chords in perfect time outlived basie in the basie band great website jo jones papa jo jones perfect time much more subtle than gene krupa very light on the. Drummer jo jones was nearing the end when he got together with his old friends, pianist hank jones and bassist major holley, for this 1982 session. That drum blog transcription marcelo costa trapd ted warren new 5 beat over bd patterns exercises. Charlies small shop in connecticut was a treasure chest of fine vintage drums. Click to follow this blog and receive notifications by email. I will admit that i hadnt intended to create a new group but a number of you have asked for a papa jo jones. The brothers would move to everest with papa jo in 1959 and record jo jones trio digitally remastered.
Philly joe jones stick on stick lick svdl11 watch now. Each one includes stickings and lists the album that each solo is on. Papa jo jones was the drum anchor in the famous all american rhythm section by way of his work with count basies band. If so, take a look at the videos and transcriptions available to johnx online drum lesson members. Buddy rich and louie bellson were just two musicians who learned read full biography. Apr 10, 2018 the drums was originally released on jazz odyssey records, the catalog of which was taken over in 2005 by the producer of this rerelease, laurent verdeaux.
Not only is it entertaining to listen to because of papa jos unique delivery, continue reading the drums papa jo jones. Jo jones shifted the timekeeping role of the drums from the bass drum to the hihat cymbal, greatly influencing all swing and bop drummers. Jo jones, chick webb and baby dodds paved the way along. Jo jones born october 7, 1911, chicago, illinois, usa died september 3 1985, new york city, new york, usa was an american jazz drummer. Welcome to music circle jo jones drum solo 1964 jonathan david samuel jones october 7, 1911 september 3, 1985 was an american jazz drummer. We all know about papa jo after 1935 as he propelled basie and others with his swing and drive. That is the only track in which papa jo accompanies another musician and it is, well, jaw dropping when you consider what he is doing. Heres a workout to develop your left hand reading the exercises 1 to 8 of the ted reeds syncopation, something that will keep you busy during this period. Top 10 legendary jazz albums the jo jones special by jo. Papa jo jones drum solo wembley town hall, london, england, october 1964. Buddy rich and louie bellson were just two musicians who learned from his light but forceful playing, as jones swung the count basie orchestra with just the right accents and sounds. Vintage drumming by billy ponzio, released 18 july 2017 1.
Buddy rich and louie bellson were just two who learned from his light but forceful playing, as jones swung the count basie orchestra with just the right accents and sounds. Fabulous solos with sticks and brushes, and great backing of star soloists that include slam stewart, teddy wilson, baby lovett, milt buckner, and yes, george benson. Jul 16, 2011 in the count basie orchestra from 193648, jo jones redefined jazz drumming. Buy and download this drumhead article in adobe pdf format.
Jonathan david samuel jones october 7, 1911 september 3, 1985 was an american jazz drummer. Drummerworld the world of drummers and drums by bernhard. Jo jones biography, albums, streaming links allmusic. It was on the drums that papa jo jones would make his lasting impression. In 1934, he joined count basies band, influencing the great buddy rich and the great louie bellson. Rare recording of papa jo jones, now available for download. Otherwise, please assume the bass drum is feathering four beats to the bars when the bass player is walking. Percussionist richard pite joins alyn shipton to select joness finest recordings, and. Help for your beginning jazz rhythm section smartmusic. The remaining part of this album is jo jones plus two with pianist ray bryant and his bassist brother tommy backing papa jo. Jo jones 19111985 is one of the most important percussionists in jazz history.
In addition to his artistry on the drums, jones was known for his irascible, combative. Any great jazz drummer will tell you that papa jo jones helped write the book on playing brushes. This is a transcription of papa jo jones drumming on. He revolutionized jazz drumming with his use of the hihat and drum brushes. The album isnt available anymore, so heres the copy i found on youtube. Born jonathan david samuel jones in chicago, illinois, he moved to alabama where he learned to play several instruments, including saxophone, piano, and drums. Pin by sean on my favorite drummers and their tools of the. Jonathan david samuel jones was born on october 7, 1911, in chicago, illinois. Countless wellknown jazz drummers cite this particular recording as their bible. Papa jo jones, drums this is a transcription of papa jo jones drumming on swingin the blues. He still managed to play with some degree of authority and anchor the rhythm section, while saxophonist jimmy oliver and jones took care of solo responsibilites. Until i met you jo jones played drums part of count basie rhythm section papa jo jones perfect time much more subtle than gene krupa very light on the bass drum adds to the lightness and buoyancy of the basie rhythm section points the way toward modern jazz drumming from bebop on walter page played bass part of count basie rhythm section perfect time and evenness of.
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