Jazz Police - Roy Haynes, All-Star “Birds of a Feather” Open the Door at Yoshi’s-San Francisco, November 28th

Jazz Police Home

SF Bay Area

Roy Haynes, All-Star “Birds of a Feather” Open the Door at Yoshi’s-San Francisco, November 28th Save on Hotels Hotels

and Cruises Cruises

Dizzy Gillespie: “It’s taken me all my life to learn what not to play.”

Home \| CD Reviews \| Interviews \| SF Bay Area \| Chicago \| Los Angeles \| New York \| Twin Cities, MN \| More Cities \| Festivals \| FAQ \| News \| Contact \| Video of the Week \|

Main Menu

San Francisco Musicians, Venues, Reviews and Calendar

KCSM Jazz91 Jazz Datebook

Visitors: 15090179

Roy Haynes, All-Star “Birds of a Feather” Open the Door at Yoshi’s-San Francisco, November 28th

Written by Andrea Canter, Contributing Editor

Sunday, 18 November 2007

Roy Haynes©Andrea Canter

“Haynes is in complete control of a combo that thrives on no-nonsense hard bop... all of the musicians are hard-driving, take-no-prisoners players, perfect for the material they're working with." Jazz Times

One of the most eagerly anticipated events in jazz this year has been the opening of the second Yoshi’s, the West Coast jewel of food and music that has been thriving in Oakland at Jack London Square. Yoshi’s San Francisco opens its doors on November 28th in the new Fillmore Heritage Center complex. And what a grand opening it will be with drum legend Roy Haynes leading an all-star edition of his “Birds of a Feather” band, bringing together for just one night the likes of Nicholas Payton, Kenny Garrett, Ravi Coltrane, John Patitucci, David Kikoski and Gary Burton. Garrett, Patitucci and Kikoski are alums of earlier editions of Hayne’s ensemble.

If there is an “Energizer Bunny” of jazz, it has to be drummer extraordinaire Roy Haynes. At an age when even jazz musicians tend to slow down and take it easy, 82-year-old Haynes has done the opposite, revving up his engines with his latest “Fountain of Youth” quartet—so aptly named for its leader, issuing volcanic recordings and traveling cross- country to share the beat. One of the most dynamic timekeepers in the business, Haynes’ career mirrors the history of modern jazz as one of the last of the great innovators of the 1940s who is still pushing the genre forward in the 21st century. Few—if any-- working musicians in 2007 include the bands of Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Dizzy Gillespie on their resumes; but many of today’s top 20-something rising stars are graduates of the “Academy of Roy Haynes.”

Ravi Coltrane

Born in 1925 in the Roxbury section of Boston, 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 52nd 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).

Over the last 30 years, Haynes has primarily free-lanced when the sideman opportunities appealed to him, as well as spending more and more time leading his own bands. He supported the great Sarah Vaughan for many years (touring 1954-59), and at one time or another, he has managed the trapset for Eric Dolphy, Stan Getz, Gary Burton, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, and Michel Petrucciani; he led the jazz-rock Hip Ensemble with George Adams and Hannibal Peterson. More recently he has mentored younger artists such as saxmen Ralph Moore, Craig Handy, and Marcus Strickland; his own son, trumpet/cornet player Graham Haynes; and now his grandson, drummer Marcus Gilmore.

Nicholas Payton©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 80th birthday, Lloyd Sachs (Amazon.com) remarked, “Signs of slowing down? Forget it. The only one trying to catch any breath is the listener.” FOY (now with Jaleel Shaw and David Wong replacing Strickland and Sullivan) continues to be Haynes’ main project, recently releasing Where As and touring throughout 2007.

Revitalizing the jazz traditions of his native New Orleans, trumpet king Nicholas Payton has been acclaimed throughout the past decade for his “crackling spirit and the fiery chops of one of this generation’s most gifted trumpet players” (Isaac Josephson, Jazz Times), issuing a list of recordings that include his reworkings of Louis Armstrong (the Grammy-nominated Dear Louis) and Herbie Hancock. In addition to a stint with the famed SF Jazz Collective, most recently Payton has toured with his hip-hop infused Sonic Trance (which was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the Contemporary Jazz category) and a quintet and quartet in “Tribute to Miles.”

Altoist Kenny Garrett is considered one of his generation’s pre-eminent voices. A major force in jazz since his first appearances with the Jazz Messengers and Miles Davis twenty years ago, Garrett and company have been sizzling across the country following the release of his acclaimed Beyond the Wall, topping many “best of the year” lists for 2006. The Detroit native cut his teeth early with Art Blakely, Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw before joining Miles’ last touring band for a five-year term. A frequent winner of readers’ and critics’ polls, Garrett has concentrated on his own compositions and ensembles in the past decade.

As the son of John and Alice Coltrane, Ravi Coltrane has managed to fight off comparisons to his father even while exploring John Coltrane’s music and making a career playing the same instrument. Now past 40, the younger Coltrane is now a major force on tenor and soprano sax and player, an acclaimed bandleader and composer, and founder of an independent record label, RKM. Coltrane has his first big break as a jazz performer when, in 1991, he joined the band of his father’s renowned drummer, Elvin Jones. Within a year, he moved to New York City where he played with Jack DeJohnette, Rashied Ali, Wallace Roney, Antoine Roney, Geri Allen, Kenny Barron, Cindy Blackman, Joe Lovano, Joanne Brackeen, and Steve Coleman. He followed with a series of sideman roles, his own ensembles, launching his RK label, and issuing his first recordings as leader. Of his 2005 release, In Flux, Downbeat noted that Coltrane displayed a “quiet yet sinewy lyricism… [with] groping improvisations with upper-register cries and hushed, inward melodies.”

Gary Burton’s four-decade career has been nothing short of brilliant. The winner of five Grammy Awards, Burton taught himself to play the vibes, and made his recording debut at only 17 with Hank Garland and Chet Atkins in Nashville and later touring with George Shearing and Stan Getz. Drawing audiences from jazz and rock, Burton was named Downbeat Jazz Artist of the Year for 1968. Shifting focus to more intimate settings, Burton’s solo recording Alone at Last was awarded a Grammy in 1971. Over the next three decades he worked in solo, duo and quartet formats, including stints with Pat Metheney, Steve Swallow, Ralph Towner, and particularly with Chick Corea, a partnership that led to two more Grammy awards. Always experimenting with new ideas, Burton has also explored tango and recently jazz interpretations of classical composers through collaboration with pianist Makoto Ozone, with whom he released the Grammy-nominated duet, Virtuosi. Recent projects have included his Generations Band, showcasing young talents.

David Kikoski

From his first piano lessons at age six, David Kikoski has been on a steady star trajectory, from his award-winning performances as a teen in New Jersey to his early recordings with Pat Metheny and Roy Haynes. The relationship with Haynes led to New York gigs with Randy Brecker, Joe Henderson, Ron Carter, Al Foster and Buster Williams. Over the next decade, Kikoski established himself as both an in-demand sideman and leader of his own bands and recording dates. Into the new Millennium, Dave was an original member of Roy Haynes’ Birds of a Feather ensemble. He toured with the Brecker Brothers and joined Brian Melvin to form “Beatle Jazz.” Noted critic David Adler, “Kikoski has firmly established himself as one of jazz's most distinguished pianists. He is an exceptional, risk-taking interpreter."

John Patitucci started out on electric bass at age 10 and soon was composing, moving to the acoustic bass a few years later. The native New Yorker moved to LA as a studio musician in 1980, working with a diverse roster of artists including B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, George Benson, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Grusin, Natalie Cole and Bon Jovi. Over his distinguished career, he has also recorded and/or toured with Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz, Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Freddie Hubbard, Tony Williams, Hubert Laws, Mulgrew Miller, James Williams, Chris Potter, Brad Mehldau, Roy Haynes and more; and with pop and Brazilian artists including Sting, Milton Nascimiento, Astrud and Joao Gilberto, Airto and Flora Purim and Ivan Lins. His work with Chick Corea including the Electric and Akoustic Bands brought him international recognition. Recently, in addition to composing and teaching, Patitucci has toured as a member of the stellar quintet of Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Brian Blade and the late Michael Brecker.

The new San Francisco Yoshi’s is located at 1330 Fillmore Street. Featuring two shows per night, seven nights a week, the new state-of-the-art jazz club aims to bring jazz back to the historic Fillmore district. Cocktail and dining service are offered throughout each show. In addition to the grand opening with Roy Haynes and Birds of a Feather, upcoming artists include Taj Mahal, Chick Corea, Mimi Fox, Charlie Hunter, Mike Stern and the Count Basie Orchestra. Visit http://sf.yoshis.com/sf/jazzclub for full schedule and reservations.

[ Back ]