Timeline Of The Most Influential Jazz Drummers

Sometimes it helps to see things in chronological order. So for all the jazzers out there, or just people interested in learning more about the early pioneers of our craft, here is a timeline of some of the most influential jazz drummers since the early 1900's.

New Orleans Jazz and Dixieland:

• Baby Dodds (December 24, 1898 – February 14, 1959): Born Warren Dodds in New Orleans, Louisiana, Baby Dodds was one of the first great jazz drummers and a pioneer of New Orleans-style drumming. He played with King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, and Louis Armstrong, and is credited with developing the use of bass drum and cymbal accents in jazz drumming, as well as the use of a wire brush on the snare drum.

• Zutty Singleton (May 14, 1898 – July 14, 1975): Born Arthur James Singleton in Bunkie, Louisiana, Zutty Singleton was another early jazz drummer who played in the New Orleans and Dixieland styles. He played with Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, and Earl Hines, and was known for his highly versatile style, able to play in a range of different styles.

Swing:

• Chick Webb (February 10, 1905 – June 16, 1939): Born William Henry Webb in Baltimore, Maryland, Chick Webb was a highly influential swing drummer who led his own band at the Savoy Ballroom in New York City. Webb is credited with developing a highly energetic and dynamic playing style, as well as mentoring and developing young musicians, including Ella Fitzgerald.

• Gene Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973): Born Eugene Bertram Krupa in Chicago, Illinois, Gene Krupa was one of the most famous drummers of the swing era. He played with Benny Goodman and led his own band, and is credited with popularizing the use of the bass drum as a solo instrument, as well as pioneering the use of the drum set in jazz.

• Jo Jones (October 7, 1911 – September 3, 1985): Born Jonathan David Samuel Jones in Chicago, Illinois, Jo Jones was a key figure in the development of swing drumming. He played with Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and Lester Young, and is credited with introducing the hi-hat cymbal to jazz drumming, as well as pioneering the use of rim shots and other dynamic techniques.

Bebop:

• Max Roach (January 10, 1924 – August 16, 2007): Born Maxwell Lemuel Roach in Newland, North Carolina, Max Roach was a pioneering bebop drummer who played with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk. Roach was an innovator on the drums, developing new techniques for playing fast, complex rhythms and using the drums to create melodic lines.

• Kenny Clarke (January 9, 1914 – January 26, 1985): Born Kenneth Spearman Clarke in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kenny Clarke was another important bebop drummer who played with Parker, Gillespie, and many others. He is credited with pioneering the use of the ride cymbal and the bass drum in bebop drumming, as well as developing a highly syncopated and rhythmic style.

• Art Blakey (October 11, 1919 – October 16, 1990): Born Arthur Blakey in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Art Blakey was a highly influential jazz drummer who played in the bebop and hard bop styles. He played with his own group, the Jazz Messengers, as well as with Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and many others. Blakey was known for his powerful and dynamic playing style, as well as his ability to mentor and develop young musicians.

Modern Jazz:

• Tony Williams (December 12, 1945 – February 23, 1997): Born Anthony Tillmon Williams in Chicago, Illinois, Tony Williams was a highly influential drummer who played with Miles Davis and later led his own group, Lifetime. He is credited with developing a highly innovative and virtuosic playing style, incorporating elements of funk, rock, and free jazz into his playing.

• Jack DeJohnette (August 9, 1942 – present): Born Jack DeJohnette in Chicago, Illinois, Jack DeJohnette is another influential modern jazz drummer who has played with a wide range of musicians, including Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, and Joe Henderson. He is known for his highly creative and versatile playing style, as well as his ability to play in a range of different musical contexts.

• Elvin Jones (September 9, 1927 – May 18, 2004): Born Elvin Ray Jones in Pontiac, Michigan, Elvin Jones was a highly influential modern jazz drummer who played with John Coltrane and led his own group, the Elvin Jones Jazz Machine. Jones is known for his highly dynamic and powerful playing style, as well as his use of polyrhythms and unconventional time signatures.

• Roy Haynes (March 13, 1925 – present): Born Roy Owen Haynes in Boston, Massachusetts, Roy Haynes is another highly influential modern jazz drummer who has played with a range of musicians, including Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Chick Corea. He is known for his highly versatile playing style, as well as his ability to seamlessly transition between different musical contexts and styles.

In conclusion, the development of jazz drumming has been a long and complex journey, with many great drummers contributing to its evolution over the years. From the pioneering work of Baby Dodds in New Orleans-style drumming to the virtuosic playing of modern drummers like Jack DeJohnette and Roy Haynes, jazz drumming has continued to evolve and push the boundaries of what is possible on the drum set.