Remembering Roy Haynes
March 13, 1925 – November 12, 2024
A tribute to the remarkable drummer
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Roy Haynes passed away on Nov. 12, 2024 at the age of 99
He was born on Mar. 13, 1925 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, began playing drums when he was young and considered his main influence to be Jo Jones.
Haynes first began playing in Boston nightclubs in 1942 including with Sabby Lewis, Pete Brown, and Frankie Newton.
After moving to New York in 1945, Haynes worked with the Luis Russell Orchestra for two years (making his recording debut) and subbed with Louis Armstrong’s big band.
Haynes was part of Lester Young’s group during 1947-49, went on a tour with Jazz At The Philharmonic, and was a member of the Charlie Parker Quintet during 1949-52.
Roy Haynes worked regularly with Sarah Vaughan during 1953-58 and then freelanced after that as both a sideman and a leader.
Probably no one in the history of jazz had a more extensive resume than Haynes.
In addition to those already mentioned, among those with whom Haynes recorded and worked with were Babs Gonzales, Brew Moore, Bud Powell (including his classic 1949 session with Fats Navarro and Sony Rollins), Wardell Gray (“Twisted”), Stan Getz, Al Haig, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Coleman Hawkins, Cal Tjader, Martial Solal, Sonny Rollins, Jackie Paris, Art Farmer, Thelonious Monk (the 1958 quartet with Johnny Griffin), George Shearing, Billie Holiday, Phineas Newborn, Kenny Burrell, Sonny Stitt, Randy Weston, Eric Dolphy, Booker Little, Tommy Flanagan, Oliver Nelson (including Blues And The Abstract Truth), Etta Jones, Steve Lacy, Ray Charles, Jaki Byard, John Coltrane (he subbed on several occasions for Elvin Jones including the 1963 Newport Jazz Festival), Rahsaan Roland Kirk, McCoy Tyner, Jackie McLean, Andrew Hill, Gary Burton, Chick Corea (including Now He Sings, Now He Sobs), Archie Shepp, Hampton Hawes, Joe Henderson, Dave Brubeck, Duke Jordan, Tommy Flanagan, Mary Lou Williams, Tommy Flanagan, Alice Coltrane, Art Pepper, John Klemmer, Freddie Hubbard, Michel Petrucciani, Pat Metheny, and Stephane Grappelli.
That long list, which could be doubled, shows the wide variety of settings on which Roy Haynes’ drumming was considered a major asset.
Despite that, Haynes tended to be underrated throughout much of his life, at least until he gained some long overdue recognition during his last two decades.
Roy Haynes led his first recording sessions while in Europe in 1954, headed occasional dates during 1958-77 and was heard more frequently heading his own groups (including the Hip Ensemble and the Fountain Of Youth Band) starting in the 1990s.
Roy Haynes was less active after 2011 although he still made occasional appearances.
His sons include cornetist Graham Haynes and drummer Craig Holiday Haynes and his grandson is also a drummer, Marcus Gilmore.
Here is Roy Haynes on Aug. 2, 2010, being featured with Chick Corea’s Freedom Band which also includes altoist Kenny Garrett and bassist Christian McBride; Haynes, who takes a ferocious drum solo to end the piece, was 85 at the time.
-Scott Yanow
