Elvin Jones: one of the most moving things I've read recently

For all you jazz fans out there, here's a link to a thread I picked up on recently about Elvin Jones' present stuggles. It's a sad, but I think also heroic and beautiful story right now.

http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4363

Soon there will be only one Jones brother left.

L.

 

That's horrible! He is one of the greats.

 

Thanks, Louis. I'm sure his wife is frantic with grief, and I know that the doctor's advice to be at home with family and friends makes sense, but I'd rather spend my last minutes playing my music with my wife hugging me ... sorry, I'm overcome at the thought of that evening outside SF ... this is so sad to me ... God bless Elvin Jones and his family.

 

Why the hell were dragging a dying man on a stage?! WTF?!

 

Wow! How sad.....but I can understand why he would want to spend his last days literally 'in the saddle' again.....a great talent and when it comes, a terribly great loss to every jazz lover around the world. Took real bravery and commitment to do that gig, not to mention on the part of his family and friends.

ED

 

Obviously, because that's what Elvin wanted. As I said, amazing that he went through with it....to the end, a man who loved his work and was fortunate enough to hang with some of the titans of the art.

ED

 

I don't know- it all seems very fishy. Being fed drumsticks by his wife in the middle of a performance? Firing all his doctors? Even if that's what he wanted, is it right to do that?

 

Thanks for the link, Louis. I got to see Elvin do a clinic at the Percussive Arts Society in 2002, and even then he was pretty slow and weak. The place was packed and he got a lot of love and respect from fellow drummers. He's such an amazing talent.

 

Yes. This is an image that won't be leaving my mind for a long long time. Can't imagine what it must have been like to actually see it (I won't even try and imagine what it would be like to be more closely involved than that).

L.

 

This says it all Gardo. I was just playing one of Phineas Newborn albums with Elvin & Ray Brown before I read the original post. Maybe it's time to put the SACD of A LOVE SUPREME since Elvin's clearly close to the end. Thanks for the amazing music, E.

 

Yes. And play it loud!

L.