Jazz lost a legend this week as Roy Haynes, the iconic drummer with an unmatched groove, passed away at 99. Haynes died in Nassau County, New York, after a brief illness, his daughter Leslie shared with the New York Times.
Roy Haynes had rhythm in his bones from the start. “I just knew I was a drummer,” he once told Modern Drummer magazine, recalling how, even as a kid, he was banging on everything around the house. From there, he grew into one of jazz’s most respected drummers, playing on hundreds of albums and backing some of the biggest names in music.
Despite his talent, Haynes never sought the spotlight. He famously turned down a spot as Duke Ellington’s drummer, a gig many would dream of, just to focus on his own music. Ellington never forgot the rejection, though, and playfully reminded Haynes whenever they crossed paths. “He would make a joke of it. I thought it was so beautiful that he would do that,” Haynes said.
Offstage, Roy Haynes was as stylish as he was talented, known for his sharp dressing and love of fast cars. In the 1950s, he and jazz legend Miles Davis would tear through Central Park in convertibles, racing under the night sky. “It was a wild, hip time,” he remembered fondly.
Over his career, Haynes won two Grammy Awards and was nominated eight more times, earning him a lasting place in music history. His son, Craig Holiday Haynes, paid tribute on Facebook with, “Thanks for all your hipness, dad. R.I.P.”
Roy Haynes might be gone, but his rhythm and stories will keep jazz fans tapping their feet for generations to come.
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