Elvin Jones

American jazz drummer
Born September 9, 1927 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA, died May 18, 2004 in Englewood, New Jersey, USA

Called by "Life" magazine "the world's greatest rhythmic drummer", two brothers were also jazz musicians: Hank Jones, a jazz pianist, and Thad Jones, a trumpet and flugelhorn player. Jones entered the Detroit jazz scene in the late 1940s after touring as a stagehand with the Army Special Services show Operation Happiness. After a brief gig at the Detroit club Grand River Street, he worked at another club, supporting visiting players such as Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and Wardell Gray. Jones, with his rhythmic, innovative style, became one of jazz's highest profile drummers as a member of John Coltrane's Quartet.