Roy Haynes © Andrea Canter

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 (84), Haynes has done the opposite, revving up his engines with his “Fountain of Youth” Band—so aptly named for its leader, issuing volcanic recordings and traveling cross-country to share the beat. This weekend (November 20-21), Haynes returns to a favorite haunt, the Artists Quarter in St. Paul, scene of his recent live release, Where As, featuring Haynes’ Grammy nominated drum solo (“Hippity Hop”). Haynes will be joined by his original FOY quartet, with Marcus Strickland on saxophones, Martin Bejerano on piano, and John Sullivan on bass.

Roy Haynes © Andrea Canter

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).

John Sullivan © 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.”

Fountain of Youth has flourished since its first release, with Jaleel Shaw often in the saxophone slot and David Wong taking over for John Sullivan for a couple years. But the original foursome will be on hand at the AQ this weekend:

Martin Bejerano

Marcus Strickland © Jos Knaepen

Bassist John Sullivan is a veteran performer. The Wisconsin native started out on violin, moving to the bass at age 9. Although he enjoyed rock and jazz, his studies emphasized classical music through high school. Jazz became central through studies at the New England Conservatory of Music and The Thelonious Monk Institute in California; his teachers have included Danilo Perez, George Garzone, Cecil McBee, and John Abercrombie. Among a long list of awards and honors, Sullivan has received NEA Awards in composition and performance (1995) and won the ISB International Bass Competition (2001). His resume includes work with Roy Hargrove, David Sanchez, Bill Stewart, Joanne Brackeen, Gregg Tardy, Mike Manieri, Louis Hayes, Greg Hutchinson, Joe Lovano, and Dave Kikoski.

Time, for Roy Haynes, never stands still--he always has something new to say. Hear what 80+years behind the drum kit has to offer every jazz fan, of any age, why Roy Haynes is both the elder statesman and youthful core of the Fountain of Youth.

Roy Haynes and the Fountain of Youth perform two sets each night, November 20 and 21, 8 and 10:30 pm at the Artists Quarter, 408 St. Peter Street in the lower level of the Hamm Building in downtown St. Paul. Reservations online at www.artistsquarter.com or call 651-292-1359.

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