Roy Owen Haynes, born on March 13, 1925, in Roxbury, MA, is one of the few jazz musicians alive today whose roots touch the origins of jazz itself. Of West Indian descent, his first experience in music was observing his father, a church organist.
The drum legend made his professional debut at the age of seventeen in his hometown, working around Boston with pianist Sabby Lewis, Frankie Newton, and Pete Brown. In September of 1945, Roy Haynes made his New York City debut at the Savoy, playing in the big band pioneer Luis Russells group. Before long, he became drummer of choice for large and small ensembles and in 1947 he joined Lester Youngs band, and two years later, Charlie Parkers. From late 1940s through mid-1950s, Haynes worked with such greats as Miles Davis, Bud Powell, and Kai Winding. He toured with Sarah Vaughan for five years before joining Thelonious Monks band in 1957.
Roy Haynes is one of the most recorded drummers in jazz, but it wasnt until 1958 that he released his first album as a leader: We Three (Original Jazz Classics) with pianist Phineas Newborn and bassist Paul Chambers.
While periodically leading his own bands, he has also worked with artists like Billy Taylor, Hank Jones, Art Pepper, Ted Curson, Joe Albany, Horace Tapscott, and as an itinerant drummer in a variety of settings. He has enjoyed an occasional playing relationship with Chick Corea, dating back to their Stan Getz days and joined Coreas Trio Music band in 1981. Hayness bands have included some of the more exceptional young musicians on the scene, ranging from his Hip Ensemble to his various quartets.
In the last sixty-plus years, Roy Haynes has shaped some of the most important recordings in Jazz history, transforming the role of the percussionist from timekeeper to front-line collaborator. Before the innovations of Jo Jones, Sid Catlett, Kenny Clarke, Max Roach and Roy Haynes, jazz drummers were timekeepers. These percussion masters redefined the role of the drummer. Haynes in particular, extracted the rhythmic qualities from melodies and created unique new drum and cymbal patterns. Rather than using cymbals strictly for effect, Haynes brought them to the forefront of his unique rhythmic approach. His idiosyncratic style, now instantly recognizable, was the inspiration for his nickname, Snap Crackle.
In August of 2004, Haynes became the 101st inductee into the DownBeat Hall of Fame. In 2005, DownBeat Critics Poll awarded him their prestigious Drummer of the Year plaque, as did the Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) and Jazziz Readers Poll. Honorary doctorates from Berklee and the New England Conservatory were added to his many other achievements including the JAZZPAR prize in 94, the French Chevalier des lOrdes Artes et des Letters in 96, Zildjians American Drummers Achievement Award in 98, and the PAS Hall of Fame Award, and in 2003, the Downbeat Critics Poll and Readers Poll for best drummer. The JJA awarded Haynes its Lifetime Achievement Award in June 2006.
In the past decade, Roy Haynes has recorded six albums for Dreyfus Jazz, two of which were nominated for a Grammy: Fountain of Youth (2004) and Birds of a Feather (2001). His latest, Whereas, documenting the no-holds-barred interaction of one of the last true apprenticeship bands in jazz, will be released on August 22, 2006.
