Roy Haynes Homecoming CD

Drummer Roy Haynes is one of the most singular rhythmic voices in all of jazz. With his shimmering jewel-like cymbal beat, daring Afro-Cuban syncopations and snap-crackle-pop snare drum accents, Haynes brought a new dimension of conversational freedom to the modern trap set and helped free up drummers from strict timekeeping duties.

However, for all his musicianship and impeccable credentials as a sideman (with Lester Young, Bud Powell, Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughn, Stan Getz, Thelonious Monk, Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, Pharaoh Sanders, Gary Burton, Larry Coryell, Chick Corea and Pat Metheny), Roy Haynes' work remains strangely undervalued. Perhaps it's the paucity of CDs available under Roy Haynes' leadership, a situation remedied with the fiery HOMECOMING, a live showcase in his hometown of Boston.

Following Haynes' disjointed, dancing intro to Coltrane's "Equinox," the drummer engages tenor saxophonist Craig Handy and pianist David Kikoski in an exuberant dialogue, paraphrasing their ideas and tossing them back in syncopated bursts of melody and counterpoint. Haynes' amorphous variations with bassist Ed Howard on Monk's "Green Chimneys" italicize that composer's role in changing jazz phrasing, and Haynes' parallel importance to rhythm players. Handy's feature on "You're Blase" points to his growing maturity as a ballad player, while the underrated Kikoski navigates Corea's "Bud Powell" with rollicking intensity. But it is Haynes' fearless, resourceful use of rock, funk and Latin ideas on that oh-how-we-danced melodic chestnut "Anniversary Waltz," that best illustrates his joyous spirit as an improviser.

Recorded live at Scullers' Jazz Club, Boston, Massachusetts on June 27, 1992. Includes liner notes by Bob Blumenthal.

Personnel: Roy Haynes (drums); Craig Handy (tenor saxophone); David Kikoski (piano); Ed Howard (bass).

Down Beat (11/94, p.62) - 4.5 Stars - Very Good Plus - "...Confidence and just plain joy of playing are traits immediately apparent....a grounded feeling throughout with a strong balance....[Haynes'] melody and timing are showcased superbly..."