He played the bass drum so hard and loud he would sometimes have to nail it to the stage to keep it from creeping forward. This is impressive considering how thunderous he could sound. While 20”-22” bass drum sizes are typical in rock and jazz drumming today, Elvin chose to use an 18” or 16” since he travelled to gigs by car and had to fit all the band’s gear in it. At any given time, he might be playing a different rhythm on the ride, toms, snare, and kick drum. He would incorporate all his limbs in a syncopated playing style that varied triplets in endless ways. Best known for being a member of John Coltrane’s quartet, especially on the sublime A Love Supreme, he had also worked with just about every big name in jazz music from the 50s on, including Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Rashaan Roland Kirk, and Ornette Coleman.Įlvin was known for his truly dynamic approach to drumming and would go on to influence several rock drummers including Bill Bruford, Mitch Mitchell, and Ginger Baker, who he once had a drum battle with.

Although he was rooted in blues, his simple yet effective approach to drumming helped define the sound of what became rock and roll in the 1950s and 1960s.Įlvin Jones is among the greatest jazz drummers of all time. There are instances when a form of the Bo Diddley Beat appears prior to their work together, but it was Clifton who made it a an instantly recognizable form that’s played to this day.Ĭlifton frequently used a shuffle and emphasized the backbeat to create a solid rhythm that drove the music forward. There’s some debate about whether Bo created the beat himself, but according to Willie Dixon, Clifton had much more to do with it than he ever got credit for. A crucial step in the evolution of modern music that eventually became rock and roll, the beat was a tom heavy pattern that is instantly recognizable. Perhaps his most significant work was with Bo Diddley and creating the Bo Diddley beat with him. James was an American blues drummer notable for his work with Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Buddy Guy, and Little Walter.

Supreme drummer