Elvin Jones Trio - Night in Tunisia

Elvin Jones - drums
Bireli Lagrene - Guitar
Joey Defrancesco - Hammond organ
Marciac Sweet 1999.

[@drummer78]

I saw Elvin play in Cambridge, MA just 4-5 weeks before his death. He had lost some of his enormous strength but his soul was still there. It made me realize that the most important thing a drummer or any musician can have is soul. Elvin was essentially in the process of dying but he still swung and you could feel his passion/soul. I think there is a lesson for all those kids who post about technique and fastest this and that. I suppose though that concept requires maturity and wisdom.

[@arnekronvall817]

It’s about the human experience, the expression of the human experience at that particular time is being expressed. It’s a sort of nameless, oneness and formlessness. It can’t be described, and that’s because when something gets a name it becomes divided. This sort of presence is just one. Elvin had it.

[@jnbjproductions]

Elvin was my uncle, If you wanna talk strength, his brother Paul(my grandfather) was 76 when he died, from his 3rd bout of cancer, he still lived on his own, cut his grass, shoveled his own snow when (we would catch him) finished furniture, blah blah blah....uncle Elvin and uncle Thad were strong as hell, but uncle hank is still playn IN HIS 90's!!!!!!!!....

[@karlkilcrease51]

I'm sure you've heard the expression "something in the water" when discussing exceptional people. Your family comes from Pontiac, Michigan and i know at one time the water was special. I vacationed there many summers in the late 50's and early to mid 60's, and i can tell you how many exceptional people I met. Ask a family member of the huge three wells that supplied Pontiac until Detroit pumped water 26 miles.

[@rondolce]

Man, the way he toyed with rhythm in this was like the way Sinatra would play with melody when he was riffing on songs. Made it look so easy, too.

[@fredericpons7837]

Hi, I saw Elvin and The Jazz Machine in the end of the 80' at Ronnie Scott"s, London. When the concert was over and the lights back, I could not move from my chair: Elvin's energy behind his set was so intense, so wild. Few years later, saw Tony Williams in Paris. He is a great drummer as well but lack the sensuality of good old Elvin, my drummer god.

[@Navroze]

I am fortunate that I heard an album of Elvin Jones when I was just 8 years old... since then I haven't stopped listening to him. I am now 67. I am unfortunate that I never heard him live with Coltrane..but I did hear him live at Ronnie Scotts, London 1974. he payed and lived in his own rarefied atmosphere and took us along.. all of us who were fortunat enough to hear him. Navroze Contractor

[@dinodeluca6210]

Elvin Jones....wow! He propels a band like no other drummer before or since. You cannot learn how to play like this....the man is like a human volcano, exploding with rhythmic feel that only he can exude. One of a kind.

[@aroneus]

Saw Elvin Jones play numerous times at the Vanguard. Some of the happiest nights of my life.

[@rhythmfield]

Same here

[@Slammintone]

Love Elvin! He plays with what seems like such violence, at times it's as if he's trying to play the bottom drum head from the top side.

[@drumz47]

Elvin is actually gliding behind the pulse of the rhythm like nobody I have ever heard. Shit is really intense. I LOVE ELVIN!!!

[@shrikramalei9091]

He is ''gliding'' behind because he is under influence, almost sleeping awake, I am a old time drummer, you can believe me, in his solo, he does not have to be ''behind' anything, and he is playing like he is completely stoned, no energy, no dynamic, just drugs...

[@felixkcl]

Shri Krama Lei Can you explain a little bit more about your comment? Want to learn more

[@guidemeChrist]

@@shrikramalei9091 idgaf if he's on an ayahuasca trip, the way he keeps you on the edge of your stair is dope

[@rickdavenport9538]

@@guidemeChrist this dude don't know sh#t about jazz. I feel the same way you've commented about Elvin Jones gliding. It's his signature. Atypical swing and execution. And it's marvelous!!!

[@JohnSmith-gp5lu]

@@rickdavenport9538 Elvin did have a significant heroin habit at one point, but then again so did the Bird!

[@yvonnethomas-speake5747]

Joey is loving this, look at him! I love Gregory's comment about Elvin - "gliding behind the pulse". It's like yes I will play the phrase - when I am ready! but it's still absolutely right sitting just behind the beat. What confidence to play about with the time and express yourself in this way. Elvin transformed jazz in to another dimension.

[@radstainforth]

The greatest drummer I ever saw ... in Soho at the London Jazz Festival around 1990 ... he stumbled getting on stage and everyone thought shit man he can't do this ... but once they sat him behind the drum kit it was fucking amazing ... listen to "India" with the John Coltrane Quartet if you want to hear drumming man ...

[@darkmagus64]

This is God's drummer

[@willythefundrummer]

Le 6/8 façon Elvin ! J'adore !

[@johnnylance]

If anyone has any doubts about how good Bireli really is; Listen to this... A few choice bars ...!!!

[@MaleneSwenson1]

Sucks when a guy can play as good matched grip as he can traditional. Sucks when you realize if you live to be 1000 years old you'll never even be able to approach what they can do. But it doesn't suck knowing that we can appreciate the artistry of players like Elvin; it enriches our lives.

[@jeanmichelachiary9336]

Quel spectacle !! Tous ls trois sont fantastiques! Elvin trace un drive incroyable !! force et sensibilité ! tout est relié!!

[@pharoahrussell]

beautiful, elvin has the most positive vibe...

[@tomsmith522]

Love Elvin.. . my favorite drummer.... he was the boss of the sticks and skins 🎶

[@kappadolce]

Elvin + Joey together is pure groove, very deep into it

[@johnnylance]

Bireles' solo is bloody beautiful. Brief, elegant and it says it all. The guy can play anything.

[@999bleep]

Elvin is forever one of the beautiful cats! RIP E.J.

[@nymycity]

I love Elvin. I always feel love and the energy that he gives.

[@oregonbobv]

Elvin was not only a great drummer but also a great composer and band leader. WOW!!!

[@Deathmelon92]

I was not shocked at the fact that a 72 year old man was capable of playing the drums. As you mentioned, Roy Haynes has been playing more than a decade longer than Elvin did and is still going strong. However, the power Elvin is putting into his playing here is incredible. Just look at 8:50!

[@Benfreidkin22]

Effortless Mastery! Sir Elvin Jones!

[@robertleblanc376]

Elvin is master of polycurrents;my favorite album of his-from the old days

[@jameskelly6010]

god bless you elvin

[@olfartdrummin8627]

Go Elivn...definitely one of the greats!

[@63ether]

Incredible, all time favorite drummer!!!

[@rhythmfield]

That grease on the time - only one drummer EVER can do this - it’s way back but it’s swinging for days.

[@1981TURBOTRANSAM1]

All Star Line Up!!! Ive heard Joey DeFrancesco live twice with Steve Gadd!

[@elbossanovero1]

Like melting butter, this spreads all through the ears.

[@davidmitchell380]

Talented trio brilliant, Dave

[@TheDenise1343]

This is the first time I have ever seen my great uncle play. AWESOME!!!!

[@mystrider008]

Elvin Jones man...one of the greatest!

[@TheFixsInn]

ahhhh that little roll out at the end of the drum solo was so smooth it was beyond cool, it was....... sublime

[@wolfdude7126]

admit, never heard of Lagrene. Now I have! Gotta check out his other recordings. All 3, awesome.

[@hilgi2003]

+John W (WolfyDude) Search this one up. Bireli Lagrene Sylvain Luc- Isn't She Lovely.flv

[@wolfdude7126]

+Mark hilgenberg Yes, that hits the spot. Wish I had cable to check out that Mezzo french channel lineup.

[@johnnylance]

The performance is everything.

[@KraneAudra]

Happy Birthday to the late Elvin Ray Jones (Sept. 9)

[@jerseycitysteve]

In 1973, got to play with Elvin Jones at William Paterson College. Thad Jones was on the faculty in those days.

[@pianotime109]

A sensational Jazz classic performed by the best

[@MaleneSwenson1]

I'm sitting here healing up from a dislocated shoulder; been trying to play with one arm and hand for the last couple weeks. After watching and listening to this I'm pretty sure a one armed Elvin could kick a two armed me's butt pretty easily.

[@bacobill]

Speechless.......... an avatar :)

[@bigpantsmallwheels5760]

absolutly fantastic

[@jjimkinsfinks398]

he tires me out--wonderful--thanks

[@drumfisch]

his snare playing makes me cry, enormous discovery

[@lachlansmith7216]

I'm so lucky to have seen Joey Defrancesco live, I just wished that I had known who he was before I saw him.

[@leoyucht]

Elvin is probably my favorite drummer. He has achieved that level of freedom and musicality all jazz musicians strive for and few achieve. But more than that, I love how human he is - his time wasn't always perfect and he never had "gospel chops" - but through his character and his "flaws" he creates something very complex and musical. He's one of those guys that are so interesting to listen to.

[@123must]

Wonderful ! Thanks

[@123must]

Powerful ! Thanks

[@XTheSonofTheSunX]

i

[@bobmeyerdrumscircularjazz]

I see some thumbs down... How can anyone not love this? Must be deaf!

[@rututum]

this is africa! this is world!

[@angeloamericano]

That was really special! I love Bireli and Joey but wish I could have seen and met Elvin before he passed.

[@mikealberice]

yep saw him in montreal last year, amazing player!

[@Shiftyeyes516]

You unle was THE BEST! All Respect!

[@angeloamericano]

this is very special !

[@stjepanbilic9748]

What a legend..

[@Deathmelon92]

Geez....the guy was 72 when he did this. Amazing.

[@alexalot23]

elvin was always so free in his playing. nothing mechanical about his drumming. just verry very free. that is what music should do to you. it should set you free.

[@marlborobeb]

intrati pe frecventa si va veti simti ,dupa ,f relaxati si placut impresionati,apoi bis,si bis si bis,traiasca tot ce va doriti voi.

[@Bendoengbanaang]

Roy Haynes is 84(!!) and still plays. Unfortunately Elvin left us at 76. But I believe Elvin still played at 76. And Elvin's brother Hank is 90 years old and still plays piano at Jazz Festivals. That's all amazing! Not saying that 72 is an unbelievable age for a musician. But we're talking about Elvin. He always looked physically strong, so I wasn't too shocked by his age because he looks so vital that he doesn't even look like a 72-year old man.

[@lochday]

je crois que oui en effet !

[@narykcin]

The organist is Joey DeFrancesco and the guitarist is Mariac Sweet

[@nickwellings9433]

Get the man a towel! This stuff kills.

[@AMIR-nw8co]

Nice. ELVIN.

[@curiousnomad]

At 0:46 Joey quotes a line from Larry Young's album "Unity", on which Elvin played. He was a force of nature.

[@adeduction]

Your uncle Elvin was a great great drummer. An original genius. Nobody played like him. He was perfect for Coltrane and Tyner. I saw him with Trane in Chicago. Played My Favortie Things for 45 minutes. Every tune on John McLaughlin's CD 'After the Rain' with Joey and Elvin is better than this outing. And Hank Jones made Miles' & Cannonball's 'Something Else' one of the great albums of all time. You are part of a very very talented family. I too would be justly proud of the fact.

[@fredsavage4925]

This is pepto bismol for the soul.

[@ultimatefighter187]

in my opinon the third best jazz player ever

[@brianrandall3795]

As a drummer, my go to is to focus 100% on Elvin Jones, but man... Bireli Lagrene, that was sexy.

[@BedoyaMJuanP]

Elvin Jones is the jazz drummer

[@umi5082]

Juan Pablo Bedoya Morales yup

[@b.murenthaler]

& more creative then buddy rich !

[@Samsgarden]

@tfw23 I like your wheel analogy. I have often thought of life as expansionism of principles, laws etc. People often try to escape the basic truth, often trying to break the rules without learning them first.

[@08021985joe]

+++++++ videos del mismo concert please!

[@gabrielaaron]

Damn this fool is killin it! Just like BR!

[@alexanderkutaladze5334]

❤

[@drummer78]

I don't know exactly. All I know is that one year time was a remarkable difference for Elvin. I saw him in 2003 and although he was a tad slower than 2002 (where he was on FIRE), he was still great. Spring of 2004 was completely different. Still, Elvin was brave and he played a beautiful set, although, it was very mellow.

[@tersellant]

Jazz is great because each artist brings something different to the table. I. E., Jones, Foster, Lagrene, Krantz, Defrancesco, Young. For those who commented previously, what's your dish?

[@franguccio1]

Joey D smokes on the Hammond......A Philly tradition.....

[@padadiddle]

yes. he probably played South Philly weddings as a kid.

[@drummy747]

Matt Groening can get down on the organ.

[@MrElmoD]

yeah, especially in that Joey defrancesco costume, must a been ghell o we in

[@bergerdrum]

OMG Hahaha!!!

[@MrElmoD]

OGD! was what JOS tol' 'Duff who Laughed and said "that's a Real Good'un"

[@isivip1]

@drummer78 GREAT WORDS : ABSOLUTELY AGREE . thanks

[@luf4rall]

this neeedddsss sax. some charlie love

[@alanleos3637]

That dude looks just like Nick Frost! :0

[@Piero2374]

Con Elvin la batteria non è più supporto, ma trasporto!!

[@cbappa2]

@limaktba the day we're born

[@bandguyz24]

If you are a musician and elvin jones calls and says will you play a set with me? you crap your pants and drop the phone a legend

[@MuriMorello]

FUK. DREAM TRIO WITH ELVIN ON DRUMS.

[@gregmuscovalley3791]

You can hear Africa

[@gregmuscovalley3791]

PONTIAC MICHIGAN NATIVE THR GREAT ELVIN JONES

[@metallicguns95]

Fantastic drum work. For this type of music Elvin Jones is one of the best, and one of my favorites... ..But is it just me or does that keyboardist look like Chumlee from Pawn Stars..?

[@johnnylance]

It's difficult to name a better guitar player...

[@user-fw2on2ut1e]

昔ｴﾙﾋﾞﾝ･ジョーンズクリニックを見に行って隣に座ってた方がジミー竹内さんでした。

[@bandguyz24]

i had the honor of seeing Elvin play an hour set at hart plaza in the D....I'll take Elvin over Royster any day

[@andrewkaplan6212]

Aaron Abdullah rudy royston?

[@radDude5000]

did they do a recording with this trio? Elvin is so behind the beat! Its a beautiful thing!!

[@halodoomplayer]

Where's the volume? This seems to be happening more frequently on KZbin.

[@giovannisugonatoli]

@drummer78 you're right right right right!!!!!!!

[@johnnylance]

What I find interesting is that the one drummer that comes closest to capturing Elvin's feel was Mitch Mitchell, a "Rock" drummer.

[@johnfortnum8391]

Yes, that's true. Elvin rocks when he swings...

[@roadrocket7]

Totally agree, if it wasn't for hearing Mitch on "Are You Experienced?, I wouldn't have discovered Elvin. Saw a lot written about this in a cool magazine at the time called "Jazz & Pop"...also had the great "drum battle" story and pics, between Elvin and Ginger Baker.

[@johnnylance]

@@roadrocket7 Listen to the drums on all of the Axis Bold As Love album. It is a Jazz Fusion album because of Mitch.

[@anahowana]

so sad for the actual troubles that happened in Tunisia

[@limaktba]

@drummer78 Interesting. I saw him in Tokyo in 2002 and it was intense. But I had nothing to compare it to. Peace.

[@ilikememusic]

figuratively genius

[@bernieasis159]

elvin and squidward would make a great spongeband