Roy Haynes © Andrea Canter

Born in 1925 in the Roxbury section of Boston, Roy Haynes taught himself to play drums, fascinated by the talents of Jo Jones, Sid Catlett and Chick Webb. Older brother Doug played trumpet, studied for a time at the New England Conservatory, and introduced Roy to Jo Jones; listening to his brother’s record collection and the big bands on radio were early influences on young Roy. “Doug knew everybody. He was my main connection to jazz.” Still in high school, Haynes played drums for various bands around town. In 1942—at only 17—Haynes began his professional career with guitarist Tom Brown, bandleader Sabby Lewis, and Kansas City blues-shout alto saxophonist Pete Brown. In 1945 he was asked to join legendary bandleader Luis Russell at New York's legendary Savoy Ballroom, and between gigs absorbed the lessons of bop along 52^nd Street and at the legendary Minton’s. Along the way, and after his stint with Russell ended in 1947, Roy Haynes became the favorite drummer of many bop-era titans, including Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Lennie Tristano, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, and John Coltrane. His chops led Young to dub him “The Royal of Haynes”; Bird and Coltrane regarded him has among the very best they worked with, Coltrane regarding Haynes as his preferred substitute for the late Elvin Jones in the historic Coltrane Quartet (1961-65).

David Wong © Andrea Canter

Numerous accolades and honors have been awarded to Haynes, including the “Living National Treasures of Jazz” (Museum of American History) in 1988; an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music in 1991; the 1993 inductee into the International Academy of Jazz Hall of Fame (University of Pittsburgh); the French Chevalier des l'Ordres Artes et des Lettres; numerous Down Beat polls. His Dreyfus release, a tribute to Charlie Parker aptly titled Birds of a Feather, received a Grammy nomination in 2002. In 2004, he released the explosive, live Fountain of Youth (Dreyfus), featuring Marcus Strickland, Martin Bejerano, and John Sullivan. Of Haynes’ then-approaching 80^th birthday, Lloyd Sachs (Amazon.com) remarked, “Signs of slowing down? Forget it. The only one trying to catch any breath is the listener.”

Slowing down was not an option. Haynes and his quartet (with Shaw, Robert Rodriguez sitting in for Bejerano and long-time bassist John Sullivan)) started off 2006 with a live recording weekend at the Artists Quarter in St. Paul, released last fall as Where As (Dreyfus), featuring Haynes’ Grammy nominated solo track, “Hippity Hop.” And with Wong replacing Sullivan, the Fountain of Youth as continued its high activity level through 2007.

Jaleel Shaw © Andrea Canter

Pianist Martin Bejerano is building a solid career backing some of modern jazz’s elders and young masters. In addition to his work with Roy Haynes, Bejerano has worked with Russell Malone, James Moody, Ira Sullivan, Marcus Printup, and Marcus Strickland. He’s appeared at festivals around the world, including Playboy, Montreal, Aspen, Ravinia, Sedona, Big Sur, Lincoln Center, Bahia, and the Charlie Parker jazz festivals, and at such venues as Birdland, The Blue Note, Jazz Gallery, Sunset Club (Paris), Jazz Showcase (Chicago) and the Dakota, and Artists Quarter (Twin Cities).

Roy Haynes © Andrea Canter

The newest addition to the Fountain of Youth, bassist David Wong has taught jazz clinics at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and Northern Illinois University, and teaches bass privately. The Julliard graduate has performed with the Wynton Marsalis Quartet and the Illinois Jacquet Big Band, and recently has toured with Pete Zimmer and vocalist Sachal Vasandani.

Time, for Roy Haynes, never stands still--he always has something new to say. Hear what 82 years behind the drum kit has to offer every jazz fan, of any age, why Roy Haynes (again) was named 2007 Drummer of the Year by the Downbeat Critics Poll, why he is both the elder statesman and youthful core of the Fountain of Youth.

“Every time I get on the bandstand, it's going to be something different. I want to do something that I've never done before.”– Roy Haynes

The Roy Haynes Quartet will be on stage at Dizzy's July 17-22, two sets per night; www.jalc.org