Roy Haynes, celebrated jazz drummer, passes away at 99: Sources confirm
The accomplished musician was recognized as a trailblazer in jazz drumming.
Renowned jazz artist Roy Haynes, known for his unique drumming style that greatly influenced the genre, has passed away at the age of 99, as reported.
Haynes died on Tuesday in Nassau County, New York, after battling a short illness, his daughter Leslie Haynes-Gilmore shared with The New York Times and The Washington Post. The specific cause of death has not been revealed.
YSL News has reached out to a representative for further remarks regarding Haynes.
Born in March 1925 to parents who immigrated from Barbados, Haynes began his musical journey in Boston’s nightclubs during his teenage years. He collaborated with various band leaders including Sabby Lewis, Pete Brown, Frankie Newton, and Phil Edmund.
In 1945, Haynes relocated to New York, as noted by the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), where he joined jazz pianist Luis Russell’s band for two years.
Throughout his extraordinary career lasting nearly 70 years, Haynes played with many jazz legends, including Lester Young, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, and Sarah Vaughan. He delved into various musical genres, ranging from swing and bebop to jazz fusion and avant-garde jazz.
“When I read about myself, it often mentions ‘bebop,'” Haynes remarked in a 1998 interview with PAS. “Those labels can be uncomfortable for me. I just see myself as an old-school drummer who strives to play with emotion.”
Haynes earned the nickname “Snap Crackle” due to his signature sound. He explained the origin of the name to PAS, saying, “It was a sound I enjoyed and felt natural with. My drumming style comes more from my imagination than from formal training, as I didn’t consider myself a rudimental drummer.”
In the late 1960s, after collaborating with vibraphonist Gary Burton, Haynes created his own jazz-rock band called the Hip Ensemble, releasing an album titled “Hip Ensemble” in 1971.
During his illustrious career, Haynes received two Grammy Awards: one for best jazz instrumental performance with a group in 1989 for “Blues for Coltrane – A Tribute to John Coltrane,” and another for best jazz instrumental performance, either individual or group, in 2000 for “Like Minds.”
His final album, “Roy-Alty,” came out in 2011.
