With a career spanning over 60 years, Jack DeJohnette is widely regarded as one of the most influential drummers in modern jazz, known for his remarkable versatility, creativity, and ability to blend genres. His drumming on Miles Davis’s Bitches Brew merged jazz improvisation with rock and funk and transformed the genre.
His long career as a bandleader, composer, and collaborator further expanded the rhythmic possibilities of jazz, integrating world music, electronic, and R&B, influencing generations of drummers and improvisers. Jack DeJohnette was a legend who tested possibilities, pushed boundaries, and encouraged all of us to “come to the music with an open mind and open heart” to discover its joyousness.
We had the utmost privilege to host DeJohnette back in 2013 while he was in town where he contributed to our 91 Notes series.
jazz.fm91's 91 Notes: Jack DeJohnette on playing on Bitches Brew
Jack DeJohnette on How to Approach Jazz
Born in Chicago in 1942, DeJohnette started playing the piano at the age of four followed by the drums at 13. In the 1960s, he moved to New York City and joined Charles Lloyd’s quartet. His impressive drumming capabilities caught the attention of Miles Davis who saw him perform on a few occasions, including a stint at Ronnie Scott’s in London.
DeJohnette is best known for his work during Davis’ Fusion period, performing on landmark albums such as Bitches Brew, Jack Johnson and On The Corner, combining R&B, hard-bop and avant-garde.
He also worked alongside Sonny Rollins, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Alice Coltrane, Eliane Elias, Herbie Hancock and many more and released close to 40 studio albums as a bandleader.
DeJohnette is survived by his wife Lydia Herman DeJohnette and their two daughters. jazz.fm91 sends our deepest condolences to Jack’s family and our eternal gratitude for the gift he gave to the world.