Iconic Jazz Musician Jack DeJohnette Dies At Age 83 – Blavity
Legendary jazz musician Jack DeJohnette has died at 83 years old in Kingston, New York, ABC 7 New York reported. DeJohnette’s longtime label ECM confirmed to The Guardian that DeJohnette died from congestive heart failure.
DeJohnette spent his career as a drummer, pianist and bandleader, working with icons such as Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Keith Jarrett.
How did Jack DeJohnette’s childhood inspire his love for music?
DeJohnette found his love for jazz while growing up in Chicago in the 1940s and ’50s. While growing up with his grandmother and mother, who was a poet, DeJohnette learned piano from a neighbor. The Chicago kid also found inspiration from his uncle Roy Wood, who had a massive collection of jazz records at home.
When Wood made history on a white Chicago radio station by becoming the first Black news announcer at the company, DeJohnette was able to access even more jazz records.
In high school, DeJohnette played in dance bands, sometimes hopping on acoustic bass. The turning point, however, came when a friend left his drum kit at DeJohnette’s house. That’s when DeJohnette picked up the drums and fell in love.
The rising star developed his skills as he played alongside his uncles and later at Chicago bars.
Jack DeJohnette started working alongside Miles Davis in the late 1960s
DeJohnette joined Davis’ group in 1968 to work on Davis’ 1970 studio album Bitches Brew. The opportunity came after DeJohnette spent time freelancing in New York. For three years, DeJohnette stayed with Davis and contributed to more albums. He also focused on his own records at the same time and released The DeJohnette Complex in 1969, per ABC 7 New York.
In 2009, DeJohnette earned a Grammy for his album Peace Time, then another in 2022 for his jazz instrumental album Skyline. The celebrated musician is survived by his wife, Lydia DeJohnette, as well as daughters Farah and Minya DeJohnette.
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