Elvin Jones

bovine · Post by **bovine** » 4/25/2004, 5:36 am

I just read this on a jazz newsgroup and I thought some of you would be interested.

I saw Elvin last night at Yoshi's here in San Francisco.

He could barely make it to the stage, his wife helping him sit and
placing the sticks in his hand.

Elvin had trouble hitting the drums but his time and sound was
impeccable.

His wife made an announcement that Elvin was obviously very sick and
has been in the hospital for 3 months and she wanted him to spend his
last moments, at his wish, behind the drums.

He looked about like he weighed 75 pounds and was truly sick...it was
one of the saddest moments of my life. I was so used to seeing him
look fit, happy and powerful.

The last number was announced, Dear Lord, and his wife asked us all to
pray as she hugged him from behind the drums for the entire tune.

I could not stop crying...

Please send prayers to this legend, the great inspirational Elvin!

I've heard rumors that he's been ill a few times recently, but nothing first hand. I know he will be in our prayers.

:::troy:::

Baby Thief · Post by **Baby Thief** » 4/25/2004, 10:07 am

...wow. How old is he? Does anyone know?

Waiting to Exist · Post by **Waiting to Exist** » 4/25/2004, 10:07 am

That's depressing.

AnnieDreams · Post by **AnnieDreams** » 4/25/2004, 11:22 am

agreed

Tattooed Angels · Post by **Tattooed Angels** » 4/25/2004, 2:52 pm

Elvin Ray Jones was born September 9, 1927 in Pontiac, Michigan, the youngest of ten children

that article will explain why he hasn't played here(NYC) since December. He would play the Blue Note about 6 shows every 3 months. I couldn't go the last time he played here.

hpdfk · Post by **hpdfk** » 4/25/2004, 4:14 pm

I think he's the last one in john coltrane's group.

nikki4982 · Post by **nikki4982** » 4/25/2004, 11:05 pm

Aww. That's so sad.

So sweet of his wife, though.

Dr. Hobo · Post by **Dr. Hobo** » 4/26/2004, 3:32 pm

Poor Elvin
and poor jer
he really looks upto the guy

trentm32 · Post by **trentm32** » 4/26/2004, 3:51 pm

He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named · Post by **He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named** » 4/26/2004, 6:30 pm

Stealing Babies :nod:

Tattooed Angels · Post by **Tattooed Angels** » 4/28/2004, 2:46 pm

Makaveli wrote:Stealing Babies

speaking of stealing babies or the story behind thief-

there was a story in the paper last week about this little girl (8 years old) who won an award for writing a poem. Sure what's the big deal about writing a poem?

this little girl GABRIELLE ACEVEDO- was born with congential heart disease. She was diagnosed with a rare from of Leukemia last August. She wrote the poem from her hospital bed while going through chemo and with tubes in her, refusing to give up on life.

In today's paper it said she died. I just cried. It is amazing to me when you read stories of children who are terminally ill, and they just go on and fight. It is a sign of bravery in these small souls and something isn't right when one so young should suffer so much in their short lives.

all we can do is pray for her. I was very touched by the whole story.

nikki4982 · Post by **nikki4982** » 4/28/2004, 9:43 pm

That's so sad.

Tattooed Angels · Post by **Tattooed Angels** » 4/29/2004, 2:41 pm

nikki4982 wrote::cry: That's so sad.

Yes it is. I guess I can say I know how Raine felt when he was watching the Story of EVE( Stealing Babies)

I remember at some show he actually said It made him cry :cry:

hopefully Elvin won't go through such pain.

bovine · Post by **bovine** » 5/4/2004, 9:05 pm

I just heard that Elvin passed away this morning. He was 75. :cry:

I know he will be missed by jazz fans, OLP fans and others alike. I'm playing "A Love Supreme" now in his rememberance

:::troy:::

hpdfk · Post by **hpdfk** » 5/4/2004, 9:06 pm

Acknowledgement (a love supreme) is such a great song. I wish I saw him live. Mcoy Tyner's dead too right?

nikki4982 · Post by **nikki4982** » 5/4/2004, 11:09 pm

Aww.

At least he lived a long, full life doing what he loved.

Soozy · Post by **Soozy** » 5/5/2004, 5:59 am

Soozy · Post by **Soozy** » 5/5/2004, 6:10 am

Hmmm ... I just found this:

http://jazztimes.com/home.cfm?URL=http: ... ticle=9976

It says he's still alive, although pretty ill.

bovine · Post by **bovine** » 5/5/2004, 8:34 am

Yeah, I saw that on jazztimes as well and I just came here to post it. Looks like it was just a rumor...at least I hope it was. Sorry for misinforming everyone.

:::troy:::

Tattooed Angels · Post by **Tattooed Angels** » 5/5/2004, 1:09 pm

I knew there had to be a mistake somewhere. He lives in NYC and there was nothing in any papers, or even on the news.

I knew he was sick, which would explain why there were no upcoming shows for him here. . He played here every 3 months about 6 shouws at the Jazz Club in the village with alot of other Jazz artist. Now I regret missing his show in December.

Here is an interseting article on him

http://www.ejn.it/mus/e_jones.htm