Elvin Jones: The evolution of modern jazz drumming

McKnight, Markiquis Jabbar

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/117510 Copy

Description

Title

Elvin Jones: The evolution of modern jazz drumming

Author(s)

McKnight, Markiquis Jabbar

Issue Date

2023

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Meyers, John

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Spencer, Joel

Committee Member(s)

• McNeill, Charles
• Bridgewater, Ronald

Department of Study

School of Music

Discipline

Music

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

A.Mus.D. (doctoral)

Keyword(s)

• Elvin Jones
• jazz drumming
• drum
• modern jazz drumming
• John Coltrane Quartet
• polyrhythms
• four-limb independence

Language

en

Abstract

Jazz drumming has substantially evolved over the years and has done so with the help of some iconic innovators. Although many drummers have contributed to the progress of the style we have come to know as modern jazz drumming, one of the main influencers of modern jazz drumming is Elvin Jones. Often referred to as the father of modern jazz drumming, Jones is a legendary jazz drummer who left his mark on both the history and the sound of jazz music. His melodic and energetic playing, which drew inspiration from African and Caribbean drumming has been immensely influential to both jazz and funk music. While Jones’s name is internationally known, especially among drummers of all music genres, jazz musicians, and fans of jazz music, relatively few scholarly works have discussed in detail what he did to shape and define the complex style of modern jazz drumming. Thus, the purpose of this thesis is to examine how Jones influenced its evolution. In particular, this thesis will focus on the height of Jones’s performing career with the John Coltrane Quartet from 1960 to 1965. A history of previous innovations, transcriptions of recordings, as well as books, articles, interviews, and observations from other drummers, musicians, musicologists, and historians are the basis of the research. These various resources will help demonstrate what shaped Jones’s unique style and his influence on the evolution of jazz drumming. To evaluate Jones’s style and contributions, I will concentrate on his unique approach to accompaniment (comping), four-limb independence, polyrhythms, and ride cymbal patterns. Jazz pedagogy, reflections from jazz musicologists, and my own transcription and analysis of Jones’s recordings with the Coltrane Quartet between the years 1960-65, informed by my own experience as a jazz drummer and educator, will support my analysis. Understanding Jones’s approach is relevant to a complete understanding of jazz drumming because his style has been so influential in jazz music and in other musical genres as well.

Graduation Semester

2023-05-02T14:00:09-05:00

Type of Resource

• text
• still image

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2023 Markiquis Jabbar McKnight

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