I saw Roy Haynes play for the second time tonight at the Jazz Showcase. He was magnificent as ever, playing with that dancing, bouncing feel he brings every time he walks in a room, let alone getting on stage and playing drums. He’s an inspiring presence. Everyone always talks about how young he seems (if you don’t believe me, do a web search for news articles on him), and as tiring as it is to be the millionth person to say it, it’s absolutely true. And he always looks sharp, is a hell of a dresser. Everyone always says that, too.
The last time I saw him play was at the Kuumba Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, CA. We had been in the Bay Area for maybe a week or two, and we drove the hour and a half from SF to Santa Cruz to check out the show. That night was a life-changing experience for me, and I don’t say that lightly. Roy was playing with Danilo Pérez and John Patitucci, and he just lit the place up. His command of the drums and the people in the room was awe-inspiring. I got the chance to talk with him a little bit afterwards, and he was very gracious and nice. I shook his hand, and drove home feeling this weird, charged feeling, like I had electricity running through me. It was strange, but that’s what Roy Haynes is like, a lightning bolt that plays great drums.
He appears not to have lost a thing in the past six years. He really puts everything he has into performing and making the show a joy for everyone. Tonight I asked him to sign a CD cover for me, which (as you can see) he did, although I didn’t look as cool as the guy before me, who had half a dozen he wanted Roy to sign. I mentioned something about how I have a bunch of his records, but that I’ve downloaded them (therefore, no covers to sign). “Oh, so you cheated,” he said with a grin. I said that no, I bought them, just bought them online and downloaded them. He doesn’t have a website, probably doesn’t give a damn about computers, so I don’t know if he believed me or got what I meant. I’d hate to think that he thought for a second that I’d steal his music, but I have a feeling he wouldn’t lose any sleep over it even if he didn’t believe me.
In any case, his music is available online, and you should buy some. It’s not as electric as seeing him live, but the record Out of the Afternoon that he signed for me is mighty fine, as are pretty much any of his albums.
Roy Haynes @ eMusic
Roy Haynes @ iTunes