Roy Haynes has been a forceful presence in jazz for more than half a century. In the history of jazz drumming, no one fits the legendary status quite like Haynes, a voracious, fearless talent whose dynamic style has endured the many stylistic revolutions in jazz, from swing and bebop to postbop and hard bop to free jazz and beyond. Called "the father of modern drumming" by guitarist Pat Metheny, Haynes has been on the cutting-edge of jazz and helped foster its constant evolution dating all the way back the 1940s. He is the only drummer to have played with Louis Armstrong, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

Astonishingly, in addition to these legends, Haynes' career claims a connection to virtually every jazz master in the history of the music. From bop-era stints with Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell, to postbop forays with Sarah Vaughan, Stan Getz, Rahasaan Roland Kirk and Booker Ervin, to free explorations with Eric Dolphy and Lennie Tristano. He pioneered jazz-fusion with Gary Burton, and steered jazz into modernity with Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Kenny Garrett, and Christian McBride. No living musician can boast as wide-ranging, influential, or innovative a career.

His influence and innovations are difficult to measure, so vast are the scope of his accomplishments - pushing the boundaries of jazz improvisation, shaping many of the music's legendary recordings, guiding the music into greater freedom, mentoring countless musicians, and revolutionizing the way drums are played. His playing has always been characterized by an extraordinary crispness and finesse, a tremendous sense of drive, and impeccable time, as once described by Thelonious Monk, "an eight ball right in the side pocket." "The fabled Haynes touch," as described by Down Beat, is "a highly flammable mixture of charisma and skill that ignites during each of his drum breaks to bring jazz to a boil." Capturing his ever-youthful exuberance and timelessness is 2004's Grammy-nominated Fountain of Youth. "Having made no apparent concessions to his age," writes the Chicago Tribune, the "drum wizard still plays with a sonic ferocity and rhythmic aggressiveness that is utterly true to the origins of this music."

In this special celebration, an all-star cast spanning generations joins Haynes in commemorating his contributions to jazz history: 12-time Grammy-winning Chick Corea, "one of jazz's most forward-looking pianists" (Wall Street Journal); Grammy-winning vibraphonist, bandleader, and educator Gary Burton, "unquestionably the major force on vibes" (San Francisco Chronicle); alto sax master, multi-Grammy nominee and former Miles Davis collaborator Kenny Garrett, "one of the finest saxophonists around" (Los Angeles Times); "the crown prince of the tenor saxophone," Spring Season Artistic Director Joshua Redman; "the brilliant young New Orleans trumpeter" (San Francisco Chronicle) Nicholas Payton; and Christian McBride, "the most gifted bassist of his generation" (The New Yorker).

Haynes has collaborated with legendary pianist/keyboardist Chick Corea since 1968, including 1982's phenomenal double-LP Trio Music. He first encountered the "four-mallet phenomenon" (Jazz Times), Gary Burton, in the mid-1960s in Stan Getz' group, then performed in Burton 's groundbreaking jazz-fusion quartet later in the decade. Recently, Haynes has reinvigorated the bop spirit with several groundbreaking recordings, including two Grammy-nominated projects: Corea's Remembering Bud Powell, featuring Garrett, Redman, and McBride; and Haynes' tribute to Charlie Parker, Birds of a Feather.

"Roy Haynes 80th Birthday Party" Sunday, March 13 - 7pm Nob Hill Masonic Center in San Francisco $25/$35/$45/$60 No Service Charges