An Interview with Legendary Jazz Musician Philly Joe Jones

An Interview with Legendary Jazz Musician Philly Joe Jones which included concert footage completed as part of the Howard University Jazz Oral History Project. View More at library.howard.edu/jazz

[@erictappermusic]

Between Two Ferns w/ Philly Joe Jones

[@vggenome]

I thought the same thing. haha!!

[@tednice75]

Lol

[@TheEleatic]

LMFAO

[@alanduncan1980]

Man, you beat me to it!

[@marylouheltman-manaher9178]

I was a tap dancer in the fifties with the lotus eaters Philly Jo Jones taught me to trade fours I was three years old trading fours with Philly Jo he would play beautiful rhythms on any surface available on stage and off I was blessed to know him

[@VoodooDewey69]

Good for you

[@joecaroselli5858]

Very imaginative drummer. Miles loved him. Jimmy Cobb was influenced by him. Bill Evans loved him too. I love him.

[@LongwingSeagull]

Art Taylor was also influenced. In one interview, he said that Philly got so annoyed at him making rookies mistakes when he first started on 52nd Street that he told him to meet him at Minton`s one night and in those few hours, cleared up all of Art`s shortcomings. Just illustrates how he was exactly like he states here how musicians should be helpful and open with each other.

[@RocnellMusic]

I listen to my Father (Junius W. Rochester) LP Record of Philly Joe Jones Drums Around The World all my life and been his number one fan. My dear Father took me to see him play live many times.

[@chops5070]

Wow, Cornell Rochester! I have you on a few records. I’m a big fan. I hope you are well.

[@philipnestor5034]

A great father with great musical taste.

[@madbebopper]

Philly Joe Jones is my one top favorite drummer. He had everything a great drummer has and more natural flow, ideas, melodicism, musicality and swing than anyone, for me. I have many other favorites (S. Cattlett, V. Fournier, R Haynes, F Dunlop, K Clarke...) Philly Joe is a one-in-a-billion genius who made the drum solo a think of uncanny beauty with a solo you can sing and a solo that inspires singing!! He made everyone sound their very best and is on so many killer historic recordings by people like Miles, Bud, Hank Mobley, Wynton Kelly, J Griffin, J Coltrane, Phineas Newborn and on and on......His brushes....no one comes close, don't get me started.....

[@stevenobrien595]

This is priceless.

[@julian.enriquez]

10:33 About practice pads and bounce 15:04 21:47 Cymbals 26:28 Rudiments 28:33 About practicing and studying

[@VoodooDewey69]

I just wanted to share this with all lovers are Philly Joe Jones music I was fortunate enough in the 80s to live with Philly Joe Jones for approximately six months I learned a lot from him in that time. Mostly I learned to seek my own path in music I was always trying to copy miles music and I was going through Philly Joe's record collection he would always tell me he would say you're never going to play like miles there's never another never be another miles. , It took a long time to figure that out because I didn't even know who I was but I just wanted to let you all know Philly Joe Jones does have a son the name is Chris Jones and Chris has a son named Christian so Philly Joes bloodline is continued I just wanted to share this with you all because Philly Joe has a special place in my heart.Most importantly he never ever made me feel like a whiteboy,he was truly impartial person,I trully miss Joe and his wife Eloise ,unknowingly those were the greatest memories of my life.

[@tunefultonyjohnson4100]

Philly Joe, to my mind, is the greatest, most excellent be-bop drummer that has ever been ....

[@andyokus5735]

Glad you had such a great life experience. That's wonderful!

[@dustinmallory3755]

I've been working on a Philly Joe biography for about 10 years. I've been trying (unsuccessfully) to make contact with his family. I would love to hear more about your time with PJJ. If you're interested, it would be great to interview you!

[@bobkaufman8699]

This is great a first hand account of the history of jazz

[@garykornfield6048]

When I was buying a ton of jazz, I always looked for Philly Joe.

[@UFO_computers]

What a beautiful song for Mrs. Joe Jones

[@redinhodaflauta1269]

And @ 1 hour and 8 minuets, after the interview with the immortal Philly Joe, there begins a mid-'80s concert by the group "Sphere": Charlie Rouse (tenor), Kenny Barron (piano), Buster Williams (bass), Ben Riley (drums) - and it's MAGNIFICENT - all drummers will also want to check out how great Ben Riley is on this concert!

[@jonathanrneal]

The best video of him I've ever seen

[@LongwingSeagull]

Went straight Monkish and my foot just started tappin`!

[@vbassone]

Ben Riley, one if the greatest, and in my opinion way underrated. Ben Riley’s name should be one of the first names mentioned when discussions of the great jazz drummers comes up.

[@wpdoyle]

A vital document in American music history. And I had no idea he was such a fine piano player. A musician's musician. Wow. Thanks for sharing.

[@joecaroselli5858]

This was when he was a Premier Drums endorser. For quite a while, Gretsch was THE company for the Jazz drumming artists in the 50's and 60's. They had Max, Art, Philly Joe, Elvin, Louie Bellson, Kenny Clarke, Shelly Manne, Jimmy Cobb, Tony Williams, Shadow Wilson, Sonny Payne, Sam Ulano, Jake Hanna, Sam Woodyard, Denzil Best, Mel Lewis, George Wettling, Don Lamond, Charli Persip, Chico Hamilton, Art Taylor, and others. Phil Grant from Gretsch knew how to take care of these great artists. Anyway, Philly Joe had fantastic ability! He also was a funny guy. Jimmy Heath's mother used to call him "Silly" Jo Jones! Sometimes on stage, Philly Joe would do an imitation of Count Dracula that he learned from Lenny Bruce! Ha Ha! Anyway, I loved his playing and conceps. I really like this young interviewer here. Seems very cool.

[@tunefultonyjohnson4100]

Name dropper !!

[@highnumber9494]

PJJ piano composition was beautiful and so creative.

[@Dave-lr2wo]

The part about practice pads blows my mind. I've never understood practice pads and thought I was missing something, but having PJJ explain the "why" in a way that comes from his expertise really changes it.

[@cws6940]

I saw Philly JJ once in 197o/71. In philly.I was about 15/20 feet way. Needless to say it was great. I have everything he released as a leader or co-leader.

[@chowchichang2922]

Thank you for this ! 🙏...... Eternal ! ❤️

[@michaelthomas4230]

Actually this is among the best interviews I have ever seen. I love the drummer but what a gift ...For eternity THE GREAT PHILLY JOE JONES...

[@davidcase1286]

His use of the brushes is incredible (obviously). You hear things on records and you wonder what they are doing, know ya know.

[@dasglasperlenspiel10]

How great to hear this extended opportunity to hear Philly Joe!!

[@golds04]

Tadds Delight with Miles. Perfect. Miles band w PJJ- they should release the isolated drum tracks. He swung so hard and gently. Remarkable musician. Ty PJJ. GREAT interview

[@zenobardot]

:) In 1956, there were no isolated tracks. Mixed down to mono live in the studio, all on one measly track. Same story when stereo came along at Columbia Records a year or two later...mixed live to a 3-track tape machine, where the tracks were "hard left" "center" and "hard right". No "drum track", "bass track", etc.

[@quintinfranklin9168]

Yeah that track is unbelievable & special!

[@zblatiosekodzenaje]

Master Drummer - Master Musician!!!

[@tomandryu123]

My personal favorite bop drummer. So solid, especially his stuff with Chet Baker and Bill Evans.

[@vova47]

Any clip with great Philly Joe is a must for me. Seems like the least they could do is to tune that piano for him, it's a disgrace. Still, he managed to sound beautiful despite all. Thanks!

[@63Baggies]

vova47 A true MUSICIAN can overcome most snafus.

[@madbebopper]

I agree with everything you said. Awful yet typical about tuning pianos for a performance (especially one that is being recorded)

[@irishwit843]

Cool video. Philly Joe comes off like a regular dude. Humble about being open with other drummers who would like to pick his brain, and learn something new about the drums from him, or him from them. Just like he did, early in his playing days, when he was in his hyper learning mode. With his great success, he didn't lose track of who he was, or where he came from. He kept his head, and didn't lose himself, as so many other's did, in spite of his success as a musician. Particularly when he started talking about how many musicians guard their knowledge., like hoarders. Interesting story, I hope. I worked a jive ass job for a couple of days, when I was a kid. Hawking knock off perfume, cheap leather luggage, and steak knives on the streets of St. Louis...great gig right? Well, one of the dudes I was kicking around the city with decided we'd go to the airport to work the terminal...and who was sitting there in his omnipresent shades...Miles Davis, waiting for a flight out of St. Louis, surrounded by two or three of his henchmen. Turns out the dude I was working with, who was wearing a kanga cap way back in '85, kind of jazzy, kind of hip looking, was the nephew of the legendary drummer Gene Krupa. He spotted Davis immediately, but knew he didn't mix with regular people...yet he still approached Davis, pretty big balls; as Davis had no time for 99% of the people, maybe less... Well, I won't lie and tell you that Davis was approachable, or smiled, or was "nice"...But after my dude told him that he was a huge fan, mentions 5 or 6 of Davis's albums, and that he was Krupa's nephew, he asked Davis for his autograph. Davis mumbled without even looking at him, I don't give autographs...but if you're krupa's nephew I guess you're alright... and scribbled out his sig. Really, never told that story, but I thought in this context, some of you might appreciate it. I'm not the type to ask for a signature...really doesn't do anything for me. But, once again considering the context, I witnessed something pretty special, because it was so rare. I'm an old drummer, and I love music!

[@cascara2801]

Cool story

[@boomerang905]

I like this story. ❤

[@michaelobrien8219]

"everybody had something to say" - what an understatement!! - i think this interview is a gem - thx for posting it

[@andersmogensen1]

Amazing! Definetly timeless!

[@JerryAttric42]

THANKS THANKS THATS THANKS for this important video. I especially appreciate the interviewer's intelligent questions. most jive-assed hosts would start by asking Philly Joe "tell me about Miles Davis." this guy actually listened to what Philly Joe was saying. Mike Clark's recollections of meeting Elvin brought me here.

[@massimodemajo]

Such a great interview! so much heritage. Thank you for sharing this! The concert part at the end is the group Sphere with Charlie Rouse, Kenny Barron, Buster Williams and Ben Riley. It should be from the mid-80s.

[@RanBlakePiano]

Thank you for this most important post have been a fan of Philly for almost more then sixty years .bill Brower did a fine job

[@ddawg470]

Philly Joe Jones memorial concert!! GRAND MASTER I am always studying Philly Joe Jones history talking KZbin I salute you this is the STUDY!! 🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽❤️

[@LaTigerGenesis]

As a lifelong drummer who was born and raised in Coatesville, I can't express how grateful I am to learn about Coatesville/Coatsville Harris from this video. Never encountered the dude's name prior to now, and cannot wait to get learned on his heat. Thank you for this!

[@mikijazz1]

Pure gold .I have been waiting for this all my life..Thank you ,thank you ..

[@Riddim4]

Priceless. Thanks for putting this out there.

[@buddabirne4661]

Baubles,bangles & beads, Philly IS the master !!

[@stilldiggingrecords3951]

Theres also an interview in this series with Max Roach thanks to HU Music Research Center for this as well.

[@nickwilton6822]

Oh the timing and phrases. Beautiful. British drums also!

[@mr.145]

I spent a day in the Premier drum factory Blaby rd, Leicester in 1975 with the owner Clifford Dellaporta,Clifford told me they never payed anyone to play their drums,i remember a poster of Philly Joe in the factory however,perhaps he got a free kit?.Buddy had asked for £30,000 per annum to play their gear according to Clifford.In his office / workshop a kit was getting ready for Keith Moon,and Shadows drummer Brian Bennet ,they had one to go for their entry in the Eurovision song contest.

[@jameslambe9275]

This is some real stuff right here!

[@Gandalfstyle]

Solo decir Gracias/Thanks!!! (I can't believe there are 3 people that "disliked" this...such an amazing document!!!)

[@habibk.2423]

Thanks so much for putting these videos up. I honor the contemporary witnesses and players of jazz the most. Philly joe jones is a legend.

[@tattoofthesun]

This guy got me into jazz because as a rocker, the first thing I was drawn to in Trane’s Blue Train album was the utter ANIMAL on the kit. Philly Joe brings the POWER, the nuances, the ART of going all over the kit

[@sinbadMcCaffrey]

So flowing and natural sounding. Technique following expression!

[@ernestovai7597]

wowwwwwwwwww!!! thanks for this!!!

[@PanchoJazz]

Esto es oro!! Gracias!!

[@boomerang905]

KZbin has taught me so much!! I always wanted to know more about the men i enjoy so much. Now i have seen and now actually know something of my Philly Joe and its so nice to have met him!!!!❤❤❤

[@kiddmarlowe1534]

Thanks so much for posting this video of my favorite drummer.

[@anitacunningham2826]

My favorite JAZZ Drummer bi far!!! 1love

[@johnburke568]

Gorgeous piano playing

[@yotrakzproductions7324]

Awesome. No MPC or DAW could compare. Thanks for this.

[@ErikGunnarEdlund]

Thanks a ton for this amazing interview and live footage!

[@A.ChristopherJohnson]

He is my screenshot on my pc and the password to my pc too. My all time fav

[@skimanization]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful and very enjoyable video full of jazz information, drums, and performances by great legends of Jazz.

[@drummermikeclark]

Fantastic ...thank you!!!

[@MattKane]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for posting this!!

[@thorpeenith3436]

Thank you for this! These interviews with legends are precious beyond price.

[@jzzft11]

Yeah I experienced "when Philly got silly" once or twice from the bandstand. Really had us laughing our asses off. But when it comes to playing the drums- the greatest of the greats. He had chops like Buddy Rich and a mind like Thelonious Monk. Sometimes he'd play licks so ingenious they'd flip you out so much you'd laugh out loud.

[@thenel2162]

fantastic!

[@robertmarcus6644]

He was my teachers mentor! Great drummer, dancer, standup comic, composer pianist a great educator.

[@charlesdexterbrewer6586]

Bill Evans said that Philly was his favorite drummer.

[@infinitygasmask]

Also miles

[@brunomendes5235]

Esse era foda. Even Miles considered him a genius.

[@CutiesRamen]

The best. The most creative drummer. And fine pianist.

[@kevinsplinter8595]

A Jazz Master of The Drums and a Jazz Icon

[@joecaroselli5858]

BTW, he and another drumming great named "Jones" (Papa Jo Jones) both died in the same year 1985. Elvin passed away later.

[@orenico96]

This is SO FANTASTIC. Thank you!! Really interesting what he says about practice pads. I see what he's saying. Back in the day you could use a telephone book.

[@leetomboulian]

Great

[@synergyhowacquisition3821]

one of the greatest of the "great's".....

[@Drumminman4U]

A true artist. Loved his work with Art Pepper (meets the rhythm section album). All you young drummers out there; this is how you create music with brushes. Very few drummers know what to do with a pair of brushes today. Listen to any of the albums Jo Jones and Philly Jo played on. That's jazz drumming at its finest. Great video treasure here.

[@berthahope8572]

Philly Joe Jones gave me the most encouragement of all to put together an Elmo Hope Tribute band. I am standardizing one song composition ,DeDah. I t is a favorite and deserves recognition as a classic! Thank you Philly Joe. Play on!

[@Drumminman4U]

@@berthahope8572 Philly was a classic! Super drummer.

[@AndrewJanusson]

This is great stuff.

[@agnesott5302]

Greatness

[@andyokus5735]

Mitch Mitchell who was Jimi Hendrixs" drummer was greatly influenced by Philly Joe Jones. He spoke often of it. I feel that would of been good for all the younger drummers to know that. Hendrix would not of had the impact he had without. Mitchell's playing.

[@luiszuluaga6575]

I heard a lot of Elvin Jones too in Mitch Mitchell’s playing with all those polyrhythms he laid down behind Hendrix. ✊🏼🔥🥁

[@philipnestor5034]

Mitch was a great drummer who also loved Elvin. In the late 60’s Miles and Tony Williams went to see Hendrix and Tony liked Mitch’s playing and gave him a Gretsch drum set. I saw Mitch at the Beacon theater in Manhattan on the Hendrix tribute tour I think in 2008 and met him afterwards and asked him about the Gretsch drums from Tony. He said he still had them along with old K Zildjians that Art Blakey gave him too.

[@fabiodisanto9587]

The King❤.

[@danevansdesigner]

Someone should re edit this with zacks between two ferns show. Love philly joe.

[@skimanization]

One of the real and complete virtuosos of jazz drums!!!

[@ZionGuySupreme]

PHILLY JOE PLAYING PIANO. @44:54

[@ber334]

My favorite

[@HarryKlein-fm9xi]

Exellent

[@brucescott4261]

JOSEPH RUDOLPH "PHILLY JOE" JONES

[@quintinfranklin9168]

Yeah the great Ernie Henry, not many young folks knows of this great man who passed away way to soon! His entire family were musicians, from Brooklyn. His sister Dorothy & brother Edgar were beautiful souls & I had the privilege of living across the street from them! Ernie died in 1957, I believe right in front of their house. Edgar & I would talk for hours about all of those great artists of their day & it was beautiful! Mr. Wayne Shorter, spirit is now elevating to the highest ether & I hope in the 5th dimension!

[@thoughtsforthebuilders]

44:56 for Joe Jones slaying the piano

[@Navroze]

such a rare in-depth interview..thank you for posting

[@gabe_iadeluca]

my left ear enjoyed this

[@jake7945]

"it doesn't mean you have to sound like a boy scout when your playing" LMAO

[@pedroahets]

👑

[@Swingmasahiro]

Would you please upload Sphere’s concert again?That is very important document for future of jazz.

[@Gmastaflex]

@25:00 wilcoxon three camps reference

[@romainbertrand253]

Very unique sound, very creative drumming, very careful to the other players music. One of the best drummer in jazz history. Let's put Tony Williams and Philly together on the N°1 spot.

[@orenico96]

Tony and Philly are fantastic, but why always rating creative musicians. And where do you put Kenny Clarke, Vernell Fournier, Jack DeJohnette, Louis Hayes? So many GREAT drummers. It's a tradition.

[@mademepickaname]

Wonderful interview. What year was this?

[@Icouldwriteabook]

ohhh shitttt

[@hermanmelville3871]

Never knew Kurupt was such a Jazz of aficionado.

[@jamesconnors5653]

A drumset player thanks you.

[@alistaircornacchio5727]

When was this interview?

[@MaliVinnyB]

WHERE is The VOLUME??

[@joelou]

Anyone know a way to watch this with sound in both channels?

[@Jay-mt2ry]

Try pulling the headphone plug just slightly out of the jack. When I find just the right spot, I get sound in both ears!

[@stilldiggingrecords3951]

if you have a mixer connected to studio monitors plug in just the left cable into a stereo input channel and leave the right unplugged. Listening now in glorious faux stereo.

[@zenobardot]

9:22 "Sid had a little more...FHIRRE!"

[@DogbadTV]

EVIDENCE kills bugs dead! 11:22:-

[@Bob-nu3xe]

Philly Joe @ 15:56 play not beat, I think the drum kit is one the most abused instruments there is a lot of bashers out there who think they are drummers

[@wighatsuperreggie]

Make note. Play on a barstool. Don't use a drum pad. Dang.

[@beatwallah]

Anyone know what year this was?

[@beatwallah]

@@MSRCtv Thank you! I'm so grateful for this and all the other interviews that were compiled through this project. So well done and important. Thanks again.

[@dustinmallory3755]

1985

[@alainjames9556]

Why did they put concert footage at the end that does not have Philly Joe on drums?

[@stilldiggingrecords3951]

wondering the same thing cause i was wondering who the drummer was.. Frankie Dunlop?

[@mikeirwinjazz]

@@stilldiggingrecords3951 Ben Riley on drums, Buster Williams on bass, Kenny Barron on piano, Charlie Rouse on tenor. Together they had a collaborative group called Sphere. Great set!

[@JerryAttric42]

for the same reasons that they didn't tune the piano, which is an insult to PJJ. you shouldn't complain too much. after all there's great footage of another great percussionist, Billy Higgins!

[@rhythmfield]

That’s just bizarre...would they add Oscar Peterson at the end of a Duke Ellington documentary? Makes zero sense.

[@pendleburyable]

Porgy and Bess,…,Gill Evans.😎