Elvin Jones Music

While only 30 min long the maker has given us some superb footage of a master at work. The segments on family , the Coltrane period plus the interviews on Elvin's philosophies on ceativity and life are all priceless. This kind of indepth analysis of a major innovator is rare and should be cherished.

Ah, the day this video arrived i was so exited! Finally I would be able to see this "visual and aural study" (as proclaimed in the review) of the unbelievable dynamo that is Elvin Jones. I had to give this video two stars just because Elvin is in it, and any footage of him playing or talking about drums is a gift from God as far as I'm concerned, but unfortunately this video is horrible! First off, i was dismayed to discover upon recieving it that it's only 30 minutes in length. How on earth could they cram a study of one of the most influential innovators of drumming into 30 minutes? It turns out that the "study" consists of a five minute explanation of a solo played in the song the video opens with, of which you get to hear only about two minutes of. then, as was written on the video cover, "the centerpiece of the video is Elvin performing with the classic Coltrane quartet in full flight." But what you actually see is a two minute snippet of footage which is grainy and in which you can barely hear Elvin playing, even when the voiceovers stop... On top of all this, the editing is lousy, the parts where he talks about his life are interspersed with the drumming parts in a semingly random fasion, and the dubbing is atrocious. What could be the best part, a song and five minute drum solo (with Elvin's current band at the time) is totally out of sync, as is all the other playing in the video, negating the opportunity to watch and discern exactly what the heck he's doing. Overall, this video was a HUGE letdown. If you want to see the best footage of Elvin in action, you must get "The Legendary John Coltrane" (I'm pretty sure that's what its called!) video, which is breathtaking, includes all the footage from the "Jazz Casual" t.v. show as well as footage from a European t.v. performance in which Elvin's unstoppable drumming is clearly documented. THAT's the "must have!"

This is the result of a true defender of jazz. This is beyond John Coltrane. This shows the growth of jazz. All drummers should see this DVD. Elveen is dropping latin bombs in "Doll Of The Bride" This is heat!

He is not just a drummer, he is what Jazz is all about. Pure Joy and Freedom of Expressive Poetry. Everyone should have this in their DVD video Jazz collection.

Nelson
NY

This is amazing footage... three songs, all of which Elvin takes solos on. Sonny Fortune literally BURNS through the last tune, and Ravi Coltrane is right there with him. Elvin is amazing, he is pushing the band on and on and his basist, Chip Jackson, is ready to amuse. Why four and not five stars? The sound quality, and the pianist. I just could not stand the pianist. Thankfully I don't know his name, so I won't lambaste him any further. Finally, the sound quality, of course I wasn't expecting much, but the sound is somewhat mushy. Elvin's solos sometimes seem a little repettitive due to the sound quality, and sometimes I would have to turn up to hear the base, and then down for the drums. But don't get me wrong, all in all, this is an awesome DVD from a drum master.

A must for Be-Bop lovers. Elvin Jones is the master and, regretably, there will probably never be another drummer who even comes close to his combination of talent, skills and ability.

Percussion powerhouse Elvin Jones, the rhythm dynamo who propelled the classic John Coltrane Quartet, brings his screaming intensity to his Jazz Machine in this stirring video that features Trane's son Ravi on tenor as well as veteran saxman Sonny Fortune and Chicago mainstay Willie Pickins on piano. Songs include "Is There a Jackson in the House?", "Ray El" and "Doll of the Bride". #1346 (58 min, Hi-Fi Stereo)

I first bought this LP in the early sixties and was surprised at the 'ahead of it's time' standard both in the music content and the quality of the recording. I lost the original LP many years ago and was delighted to obtain the CD re-issue which is as good if not better than the original LP. A classic and well worth a listen.

I first bought this LP in the early sixties and was surprised at the 'ahead of it's time' standard both in the music content and the quality of the recording. I lost the original LP many years ago and was delighted to obtain the CD re-issue which is as good if not better than the original LP. A classic and well worth a listen.

I first bought this LP in the early sixties and was surprised at the 'ahead of it's time' standard both in the music content and the quality of the recording. I lost the original LP many years ago and was delighted to obtain the CD re-issue which is as good if not better than the original LP. A classic and well worth a listen.